Luke 2:36-40 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
 
MATTHEW 2 tells us Jesus was in Bethlehem about two years. The Lord instructed Joseph to take his family to Egypt to escape Herod’s deadly attack on Bethlehem’s baby boys. After about two years, the Lord instructed Joseph to return. As the family returned to Judea, their plans changed. Having been warned in a dream, Joseph withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. (Matthew 2:22-23a)
    Matthew also wrote in Matthew 2:23b So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” This statement has caused controversy because there is no specific prophecy that spoke these words. But we understand Matthew’s words point to the lowly, humble life Isaiah and other prophets said Jesus would live. Nazareth was of a low reputation in Galilee. When Philip told Nathanel he had found the prophesied Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, Nathanael’s response was a slur on Nazareth, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. (John 1:46)
    Yes, come and see – come and understand Jesus is the redemption of Jerusalem and of all nations. Why did Luke omit the Egypt interlude? Apparently it did not fit into his purpose for this orderly account to Theophilus. The blessing of four gospels is they are God’s method to help us come to his Word and help us see a more complete picture of Jesus’ life and teachings. In Luke 1 and 2, we have witnessed God’s particular plan for the way Jesus entered the world. Through the gospels’ accounts we can understand the Father’s very specific directions to those he chose to participate in his redemptive drama.
    God is a planner. Each thing that occurs in the world is under his domain. Sometimes – even often – we might wonder if the Holy Trinity is attentive to the world’s turmoil. The Bible tells us he is. In turn, we must be attentive to know our role in God’s plan to complete the world’s redemption.
 
Praye: Father in heaven, holy be your name. May your will be done on earth and in our lives. Help us to have faith in your plan. Amen.

Luke 2:33-35 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
 
IN the midst of this joyous moment for Simeon, he prophesied a summary of Israel’s response to Jesus in the years to come.  Jesus will cause change. People will rise spiritually as they receive his truth: Malachi 4:2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.
    In contrast, many people will fall because of Jesus’ life. Isaiah 8:14 “and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.”
    Indeed, the gospel message centers our hearts to change. From the moment Jesus arrived into his creation, countless numbers of people have found new life in him. We’ve read, for example, that Mary and Joseph very personally experienced God. We saw them faithfully respond to God’s call. And from Luke’s information in Acts, we know, that even in her pierced soul, Mary remained faithful to her son who is her Lord, crucified, dead, buried, raise and ascended.
    During Jesus’ lifetime, Jesus changed thousands upon thousands of people through his miracles. Jesus fed them real food, multiplied by the thousands. Jesus healed the sick. He forgave the repentant sinners. On the cross, Jesus exchanged his holiness for your sin. Tragically, countless souls have fallen to hell because they have rejected Jesus. We rejoice, too, that millions more have risen to eternal life because Jesus, the Savior, has come.
    Mary would not be, could not be merely a witness to Jesus’ life. Grief would pierce her heart as Israel condemned Jesus.
 
Prayer: My soul is often pierced, Jesus, when I see the world’s rebellion against you. Raise the unbelieving hearts to receive the consolation of your salvation. Amen. 

Luke 2:25-32 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
 
YOU can certainly count Simeon a faithful servant of God, can’t you? God had given to him a wonderful promise: “Simeon, you will see the Savior before you die.” Then Jesus comes. Simeon experienced the fullness of God’s great love complete his life.
    Jesus is certainly the consolation for each one who turns to him, who sees him with the eyes of your heart (Ephesians 1:18). You believe and live into what he says. Jesus’ life brought peace to Simeon, who knew God’s promise became flesh.
    Assuredly, Jesus is the one who brings peace to our souls when we know God has fulfilled his promise to deliver the Savior to us.
    Our Consolation, Jesus Messiah, is all we truly have to hold onto, isn’t he? All else fades and disappears. But God’s promised Savior is here now. He consoles your disappointments and grief. His merciful teachings guide you to true happiness. Jesus lovingly offers you the certainty of eternal life.  
    Are you perhaps still wondering when you will see Jesus? Pray for such a faith as Simeon’s. Call on the Spirit to acknowledge Jesus as your Consolation who has come to you. Know and remember God’s promises in his Holy Bible. Then rejoice the Spirit has opened your eyes to show to you the Savior is very present with you. Eagerly praise God when your Consolation fills your soul.
   
Prayer: Lord, I want to see the Savior come to me with his consoling love. In Jesus’ name I pray this. Amen.

Luke 2:21-24 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 
 
HERE is this simple, poor couple who have few possessions and little money. But they managed to buy some pigeons for Mary’s purification and Jesus’ dedication. The couple was required by the Law not only to have Jesus circumcised at eight days (Leviticus 12:3), but also to present their firstborn to God (Exodus 13:2,12) 33 days later. They were also to bring an offering for Mary's purification after childbirth (Leviticus 12). Joseph and Mary were devoted to know God’s Word and obey it. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. (Matthew 1:19) Quietly and obediently, Joseph and Mary demonstrated they lived under God’s law for God’s sake. They do not point to themselves to say, “Look at us. We are parents of the Messiah!”
    Think of it! This chosen couple went that day to the temple holding in their arms the One who would complete the sacrificial law. Jesus – Savior – was born to be the final atoning sacrifice for you. Mary and Joseph obeyed God’s Word while holding the Word (who) was with God, and the Word (who) was God. He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1b-2)
    This obedience is active worship. God’s knowledge has poured into this couple, and they lovingly responded. Do you grasp their worshipful wonder? Would they have been in awe of a God who has shown himself to them in this personal way? Can you know the joy in Joseph’s and Mary’s hearts? Are you thankful with them that God has delivered a son to them? Are you with this couple in humility that they are taking God’s Son to God’s House? Do you tremble with them at the miracle of being the ones chosen for this great task? Could you even be afraid with them that they may make a mistake? 
    But Joseph and Mary are not the only ones God has chosen, are they? God has clearly commanded to you what you must do. Jesus summarized his command in John 15:12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Do you have a righteous response?
 
Prayer: Lord God, my heart rejoices in your commands. I pray for loving obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen.
 

Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
 
IS there a more wonderful message in the Bible and in the history of the world than these words? “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  What a headline! What a story! The Messiah, who is God, has come to earth. And “he has been born to you”. What do we do with our lives when we understand this immortal truth?
    This is the truth that gives our lives meaning. “A Savior has been born to you” sets you free from sin’s death. You are assured of God’s love. You understand your life’s purpose. Hope for a grand and glorious future with the eternal God is certain in your heart.
    Yes, this is the event that completes God’s promise from ancient times: “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God” (Exodus 6:7).
    Yes, God spoke these words to Jacob’s descendants to tell his people he would personally come to them long before Jesus spoke in the first person “I who speak to you am he.” (John 4:26). The personal God came to build a personal relationship with first the Jews and then the people of the entire world.
    Do you know the personal pleasure of this very personal truth in your life today? As you work, parent children, struggle with circumstances, confront financial issues and wonder about “tomorrow”, know this: The highest truth and meaning in your life is, “He has been born to you”.
    Miraculously, Jesus is available to you night and day. He offers his peace when distress disturbs your soul. He offers his truth when you need to know what’s right. He gives you his strength when you know there is no way to get through another week. Submitting to the Savior, who “is Christ the Lord,” you receive his life for all eternity. He is your God in so many, many ways. Yes, Christ the Lord, the One who saves has come to you. I pray that for you it Is “good news of great joy!”
   
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus. I rejoice that you are my Savior, born to save my soul! Amen.  

Luke 2:8-9 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
 
WHEN my granddaughters were toddlers, as I was playing with one or talking with her, my attention would drift to something else in the room. When that happened, she would put her hands on my face, turn my face to her face, look me in the eye and say, in effect, “Pay attention, Grandpa. I’m talking to you.” She got my attention. I was quickly back on track. It is important to honor our loved ones with our undivided attention, isn’t it? 
    Through Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, we see how God lovingly came to Zechariah, Mary and now the shepherds. Very powerfully, in the form of an angel and then a multitude of angels, God personally appeared to put his spiritual hands on the faces of those he had chosen for a special relationship with him. God graciously, lovingly and pointedly said to them, “I need your undivided attention. You must know you have a special role in my plan to send my Savior to the world.”
    The glory of the Lord that night over the dark sheep pastures turned the shepherds’ eyes upward to see God’s brilliant glory come down to earth. It is no wonder this announcement transformed their lives.
    When Jesus ministered to the world, he continued to demonstrate God’s glory through his preaching, his discipling, his love, his forgiveness, his healing, his death and his resurrection. Jesus wanted the world’s full attention to say, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
    Thankfully, in God’s power, countless people have paid attention since then to know God has pointed to them out of all mankind to say, “You are mine. I have a special purpose for your life.” Yes, God’s message is sure and clear. “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:7) May we all pay absolute attention to this each day of our lives.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for Jesus’ message. I submit my heart to hear your love, forgiveness and salvation for my soul. Amen.

Luke 2:6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
 
“THERE was no room for them in the inn.” What kind of culture was this to keep a very pregnant woman from a bed? Do you think somebody should have said, “Here. You can have my bed. I’ll gladly give it up for you.” But no one did. There was no room for Mary, Joseph and no room for Jesus.
    This is the human heart, isn’t it? How sad it is to consider our sin nature closes the door on the Savior. Our tendency is keep him from our heart because his commands interfere with our lives. We do not want to see all he has to offer us.
    Jesus is love incarnate. He is joy, peace, kindness and goodness. Jesus’ ears listen; his hands heal. Even more his mouth speaks correction, forgiveness and grace. His feet walk among the physically and spiritually poor. Mercifully, his eyes look into your eyes to invite, “Come, follow me.”
    We love what Jesus offers. Even so, we’re not sure we want to receive him. It might mean we will need to give back to him. Committing to Jesus is too much for our reluctant hearts. We may even be prone to reply, “No room, Jesus. My schedule is full. I’m not ready, yet.”
    On that night in Bethlehem Jesus came knocking at the world’s door, and only a few poor shepherds came to see. But the gracious, wonderful thing is, he’s still knocking on doors. Jesus hasn’t quit. Through the Holy Spirit the risen Lord still acts to open countless hearts to make room for him.
    In God’s grace, your Lord Jesus is entering your life to say, “Let’s go show the world my salvation. Let’s listen to people’s needs. The culture of the entire world needs healing, forgiveness and grace. As good shepherds we can walk among the nations to offer eternal wealth to the physically and spiritually poor.”
    Do you hear Jesus asking, “Got room?”
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I welcome you and the great salvation you have for me. In your name I welcome you, amen. 

Luke 2:4-5 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
 
JOSEPH and Mary are on an 80-mile walk from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea. The journey would take from five to eight days, depending, as you can imagine, on weather, congestion on the roadway and how everyone, especially Mary, was feeling. These steps to Bethlehem are the next steps of God’s magnificent plan to save your soul and all who call on Jesus’ name. 
    Consider here the centuries of promises and prophecies that had come to the Jews. The spoken and written word of God had been revealed from Adam to Noah to Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to Joseph to Moses to Samuel to David to Isaiah to Daniel and now to Joseph and Mary. Wait, can we say, “Joseph and Mary”, in the same breath with the mighty patriarchs and prophets of Israel’s history? They seem to be uneducated, impoverished misfits.
    But they aren’t misfits. Joseph and Mary surely fit into God’s salvation covenant as the mighty and famous. God puts people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds on a journey with him to reveal Jesus to the world. God takes misfits and fits them perfectly into his plan.
    That’s why he’s called you. Yes, you. Sometimes we may not believe we fit into God’s will. But when you say, “Yes, Lord. I will follow you.” you have spoken a life-changing commitment. In God’s grace, Jesus’ atoning death and the Spirit-giving life, the Lord has set you on a journey for you to faithfully walk with your personal, loving God.
    When you confess Jesus, “Lord and Savior.” he leads you to the places he has prepared for you to perfectly fit into his kingdom. Such places could be as Joseph and Mary –  a crowded town, a stinky stable, a sheep pasture and a rocky road. You might fit on a mountain top, a fertile plain or a cross. Yes, there is that promise from Jesus that you will fit into the Kingdom of God when you “take up your cross”. (Mark 8:34)
    Joseph’s and Mary’s cross included a pre-marital pregnancy, a hard journey, a primitive birthplace for their son, a flight to Egypt to protect him and a daily responsibility to look after the Son of God. In the Spirit’s power, they fit well into their mission, and so will you.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the ways you fit me into your salvation plan for the world. Amen. 

Luke 2:1-3 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
 
THESE words seem fairly simple. Orders are given; it’s time to pay the tax. But when you read these words, do you see the very bad news? More taxes are bad news for such poor Jews as Joseph and Mary.
    But the bad news goes deeper than money. It goes to the very soul of a nation. Rome controlled Israel. Israel’s people were subject to Rome’s intention to use Israel’s wealth to fund its domination and expansion.
    This passage also represents a point in history. Luke wants to give evidence of the time, day and month – October – when Jesus was born. The more deliberate he can be of the circumstances around that time, the more we can trust Jesus truly was born in Bethlehem.
    This also helps to confirm Jesus’ ministry time, his death, his resurrection and his ascension. One fact helps lead to another. True steps lead to the true God.
    The truth is, God turned the bad news into good news. The Father sent his Son into the midst of political oppression at just the right time. It may seem odd our Lord would come when Rome ruled. But it was the Sovereign LORD, who truly ruled. The LORD used Rome’s government as a means to spread the gospel into the world. The Roman Empire would be generally tolerant for a time of Jesus’ followers. Many new churches were founded within its borders. Acts 21-23 tells us Rome protected the apostle Paul when the Jews passionately tried to kill him. It was the Jews, who were the first persecutors of Christ’s church.
    In addition, Rome’s good roads and effective mail system would help transmit the gospel. Paul’s, Peter’s, James’ and others’ teaching letters were delivered to Jesus’ disciples in many towns and villages. Consider, also, that the oppressive nation Rome would later become one of the first nations to proclaim Christianity as an acceptable religion. In these ways, Rome, the “bad news nation” became a “good news nation”. God raises governments and deposes governments for his purposes.
   
Prayer: Lord, use our governments as a means of spreading the good news. Amen

Luke 1:80 and the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
 
HE lived in the desert? Isn’t John formed to be someone very special, born to point the way to Jesus? Don’t you think God would pamper him and let him grow up with good home cooking, a nice bed and good friends all around? Why the lonely, challenging desert?
    “Why, God?” is often a weak question when it is asked to understand God’s motives and his role in unhappy circumstances of our lives. “Why, God?” seems to be asked with an attitude that says, “I can do better than this.”
    But if you ask, “Why God?” with humility and desire to truly understand God’s answer, it can be a very strong question. If we are prepared to adjust our lives to the “Why?” we will more deeply grow into the way God has designed our life. Receiving and submitting to God’s will deepens our love for our Father in Heaven. Often, as recorded in Job’s life, God will not give us an answer. His inherent will is that we accept our lives as they are under his reign.
    But perhaps we can answer, “Why did John the Baptist live in the desert?” Let’s first consider plants that grow in the desert. Desert plants look different from those in other habitats. They are often spiny with tiny leaves, rarely “leaf green.” Why are they so different?
    It is because God has formed them to grow and multiply in drought and heat. They need to be different to survive and thrive, don’t they?
    In this manner, the desert was the perfect place to strengthen John into God’s purpose. Notice how the verse says, the child grew and became strong in the Spirit. God put John where he could grow and mature to be different than other people. He will only thrive and multiply his mission if he has a sure faith rooted in God.
    God planned that John will look different, and he will be different. The LORD God sanctified him – set him apart – from the world to form him to challenge the norm. John would go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17)  
    This was John’s destiny. In the desert, away from physical and emotional comfort, John experienced God’s redemptive power to faithfully enter into God’s purpose.
    Are you perhaps wondering why you are in a “desert” in your life? Or do you have friends asking you, “Why is my life so difficult?” The Bible often tells us that such times in our lives are God’s time to shape us more closely to him. When there is little of the world to hold onto, we can turn and hold fast to the steadfast Creator of the world.
         
Prayer: Thank you for the desert, Father. May I blossom in you. Amen.