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.” And here comes Jesus. Simeon felt the fullness of God’s great love fulfill his life.
    Do believe God’s promise to send Jesus to save the lost: Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Jesus is certainly the “great consolation” for each one who sees him with the “eyes of your heart” (Ephesians 1:18) to believe and live into what he says. Jesus’ life brought peace to Simeon, who knew God had fulfilled his promise. Assuredly, Jesus is the one who brings peace to your eternal life when you know God has fulfilled his promise to deliver a “Savior, who has been born to you.” (Luke 2:11)
    Our Consolation, Jesus Christ, is all we truly have to hold onto, isn’t he? Everything else fades and disappears. But God’s promised Savior is here now. He assures you in your questions. He fulfills you as you live more purposefully for him. He blesses you in your obedience. He consoles you in your grief. He promises you the certainty of eternal life.
    Are you perhaps still wondering when you will see Jesus come into your life? Pray for such a faith as Simeon’s. Call on the Spirit to open your eyes to see the risen Lord. Expect his entry into your life. Acknowledge Jesus as your Consolation. Rejoice the Spirit has opened your eyes to show to you the Savior. Eagerly praise God when your Consolation transforms your life.
   
Prayer: Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see the Lord Jesus. Thank you, Father, for fulfilling your promise to send our great Consolation. 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 with very little to their name but they managed to buy some pigeons for Mary’s purification and Jesus’ dedication. They do these two rituals because God’s law commands the Jews to do so when a child is born. Joseph and Mary follow the first rules of life: Know God’s Word and obey it.
    Quiet and obedient, 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!” This chosen couple went that day holding in their arms the One who would nullify the sacrificial law by becoming the final atoning sacrifice for you. Think of it. Mary and Joseph obeyed God’s Word as they held the Living Word of God.
    This is worship. God’s knowledge has poured into this couple, and they obediently, lovingly responded. Do you feel their worshipful wonder and 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? 
    God has clearly commanded to you what you must do. Jesus said it this way, in John 15:12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” What is your response?
 
Prayer: Lord God, my heart rejoices in your commands. I pray for loving obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
 
THE angels had told the shepherds to go and see the Christ child. They described the scene in some detail. Then the shepherds went to the manger and discovered what the angels had spoken was true. In high spirits, they praised God, and gave him the credit for the wonder he had done.
    This is what happens when people listen to the details. God’s Spirit has inspired prophets tell his people the Savior would come and where he would be born. Today God’s Word continues to instruct us on how to find the Savior. The Bible promises that when we obey the Lord’s directives, we will glorify the Lord. In other words, we will be as the shepherds. Our mouths will give God the credit for all matters of our lives. We will praise his name for the good things he has done.
    The apostle Peter gives us an example of this kind of language in 1 Peter 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade –  kept in Heaven for you.”     
    See how these words glorify God. Peter credits God for his mercy to give to us new birth so we can live in a new hope of life everlasting.
    Are you such a witness to the world as the shepherds? Do Peter’s words inspire you to consider God’s eternal gift to you? Are you eager to join with others to joyfully thank God for all the ways you have seen him?     Yes, I know that our world is overcome with trials. We could list many evils that confront us each day and disturb the peace in our countries. Do not despair. These evils are the world’s ways. They demonstrate our great need for God. Live in joy your God has come to rescue you into his eternal peace. Live in praise all sin will be gone one day. Rejoice each day with a heart to love God and love others. Be as one who has seen the Savior, knowing in your heart God has given to you “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade –  kept in heaven for you.”
 
Prayer: I praise you Father for your instructions to go and see the Savior. Thank you for your eternal gift to my soul. I will live to glorify and praise your name. In Jesus’ love, amen.
 

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
 
I’VE often pictured Mary looking at the newborn Jesus and considering all the events that have led her to this moment. As Luke uses the word “treasured” it indicates to us that Mary is putting great value on what God is doing. God came to her, a virgin, to announce the Spirit would birth the Savior in her womb. God then guided Mary to the miracle of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. The Lord led Joseph to accept a pregnant virgin bride (see Matthew 1:20-21). Then the Spirit led the newly married couple to this manger this night. God then declared through the angels and shepherds the glory of the Lord come to earth.
    Treasuring these events, Mary surely thought of the Lord’s favor upon her and the world. Most assuredly she pondered that many more miracles were to come from God, his angels and his Savior Son. She, of faith, would treasure God’s choosing her; she would treasure his plan for her future and Israel’s future. This is what the prophets had proclaimed for generations! She held the prophetic utterings in her arms! Pondering this miraculous reality, Mary was certainly emotionally and spiritually preparing herself for a life of great responsibility. She would watch this boy grow into manhood. Each day of his life in her home, Jesus would certainly cause Mary’ to celebrate and wonder at what God had done.
    Certainly, too, Mary treasured what God would do.
    That is the message of the Savior come to Bethlehem. Treasure the wonder of God’s grace. Open your eyes, heart, mind and soul to celebrate the great miracle of salvation God has given you through the Savior. Ponder your future with Jesus.
    Will you treasure these things in your heart? 
 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I treasure the wonder of you to come so personally into the world and into my life. In Jesus I rejoice. Amen.
 
 

Luke 2:16-18 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
 
CAN you imagine the conversations the shepherds had with people after they left the baby Jesus? “Hey everyone, we have some great news! We were watching our sheep. The listen to this: An angel appeared in the sky. He told us the Savior was in a manger here in Bethlehem. Then a great company of angels came joined him to sing praises to God. We saw God’s glory, his great light over the pastures. The music, too, was sensational!
    “Then we came here into town. We did see the Savior! He’s born to a couple named Mary and Joseph. They are in town because of the census. The inn was full, so they went to that stable om a cave just outside of town. The child was born right there! It was so unbelievable. We saw the baby Savior of the world! You can go see him, too.”
    Scripture records, “all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” How would they have expressed their amazement? We have no information. But we know in other cases when people wanted to see Jesus, they pressed hard against him in huge crowds. There were no crowds apparently at the manger. Might the shepherds’ news have been too unbelievable? Would their amazed response go something like this: “Yeah, right guys. The angels came to talk to you? The Messiah is born in a stable? He’s the son of ordinary laborers? Who is this Mary and Joseph, anyway? You shepherds have told a story very difficult to believe.”
    How about you? What’s your response to the Savior’s birth? Do you tell people around you, “Hey everyone, here’s some great news. God the Father sent Jesus the Son to save us from our sins. Jesus loves you so much, he submitted his life to a cross, so he would take on the punishment for your sins. Yes, it is unbelievable. But believe this remarkable message! Believe Jesus is your eternal Savior to take you into a true, eternal life in Heaven’s glory! Go to him, and you will see.”
    But it’s likely these are words you hold back. You know the response, “Yeah, right, my friend. Jesus saves me from sin? I’m a good person. Who needs Jesus? You’ll have to do better than that. I have my own way to Heaven – if it really exists.”
    Too often the truth is too amazing for many to comprehend and receive, isn’t it? Perhaps God’s truth is too easy and too wonderful to believe. Yet, our work is to be as the shepherds. As the Holy Spirit has called you to discover Jesus, the risen Savior, be faithful to tell the good news. Pray for unbelieving friends, family and those who oppose you. You have the best news of all time to tell the world. Let them know.
 
Prayer: Lord, I pray for all who say, “A Savior is not possible.” Please turn their hearts to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior of their souls. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Luke 2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 
YEARs ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Baltimore. The night I arrived was the night the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl. Two days later, the city celebrated with a parade that traveled the street bordering the building where I was working. I’m a football fan. This was a nice opportunity to see members of the best team in the game.
    But I missed this historic moment. I didn’t stop my work for a few minutes to go outside and watch. I have no idea what happened regarding the parade. Did the Ravens really go by the office building?
    With that “too much to do” attitude, the shepherds could have missed Jesus that night. When the angels had “gone into Heaven”, what would have happened if they had said to one another, “No, we won’t go.” They would have missed one of the three greatest spectacles to ever be displayed on earth. (Do you know the other two? One hasn’t happened yet.) Think of it. God favored these men with a heavenly appearance and a personal invitation into his presence. They responded. In wonder and awe, they went to see.
    That’s the Bible, isn’t it? This magnificent collection of 66 books is God’s invitation to go to him. He uses Spirit-anointed men to define and tell his story – history – of his victory over death.
    What joy to know God favors his creation at times with his glorious presence. Even more, God invites you to stop going your own way and to go into his way of life.
    The Bible says you can know God when you read the Bible. You can know him through prayer, right living in the law, church attendance, service, humility and many other God-directed steps. Do you eagerly go into these places to see God? Or perhaps you are prone to say, “Later. I’m too busy.”
    The angels pointed the way for the shepherds to see Jesus. God’s messenger now is the Holy Spirit. He seldom comes to literally shine into our dark nights. But he always comes to announce through godly teachers that a Savior has come to renew and save his creation. 1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
    This is God’s plan, God’s story of redemption. He is victorious over evil. His kingdom has begun, and he will one day to form a new creation (that’s the third glorious event) when all believers will join in the heavenly parade of eternal victory.
    Thank God he comes. Then go to him. See who he is. Rejoice he is the Supreme Victor over death. Celebrate he is your Champion to defeat sin and save you to his eternal Throne Room.    
 
Prayer: Thank you, God, you come personally in Jesus and in the Spirit to display you are Supreme. 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 made certain in your heart.
    Yes, the remarkable wonder 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 intimately come to them long before Jesus spoke in the first person “I who speak to you am he.” (John 4:26). Here is the personal God come in person to build a personal relationship with first the Jews and then the people of the entire world.
    Do you get that for your life? Do you feel the personal pleasure of this very persona truth in your life today? As you work, deal with the kids, struggle with circumstances, struggle with money issues and wonder about “tomorrow”, know this: The highest truth and meaning in your life is, “He has been born to you”.
    Miraculously, he 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,” he watches over you for all eternity. He is your God is 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 2:6-7 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.” That’s always disturbed me. How could anyone turn a very pregnant woman from an inn and, instead, point her to a stable to spend the night? What kind of culture was this to keep a pregnant woman from a nice bed? Somebody should have said, “Here. You can have my room. I’ll gladly give it up for you.” But no one did. There was no room for Mary, Joseph and no room for Jesus. That’s always bothered me, too. What kind of culture is the world to reject its Creator? How can we shut Jesus out, turn him away from our cold heart? He has so much warmth, love and peace to give. His ears listen; his hands heal. Even more his mouth speaks forgiveness and grace. His feet walk among the physically and spiritually poor. Mercifully, his eyes look into your eyes to invite, “Come, follow me.”
    But there’s hesitation. We love what Jesus offers. Even so, we’re not sure what or when we want to give back to him. We may even be prone to reply, “No room, Jesus. My schedule is full. I’m not ready, yet. Check down the street.”
    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 coming into people’s lives. Jesus hasn’t quit. Through the Holy Spirit the risen Lord still acts to open countless souls to his saving blood. In the power of God, our 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?” How will you respond? Will you lock the door more tightly? Or will you step out to join him as you declare, “Here, I have plenty of room in my life for you.”
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I welcome you and the great salvation you have for me. In your name I trust, 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 the world. 
    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 Abraham to Isaac to Joseph to Moses to Samuel to David to Isaiah to Daniel to Joseph and Mary. Wait, can we say, “Joseph and Mary”, in the same breath with the mighty, godly heroes of Israel’s history? They seem to be uneducated, impoverished misfits, scared and just following the crowd.
    But they aren’t misfits. Joseph and Mary are surely as much a part of God’s plan of salvation as the mighty and famous. God puts people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and futures on a journey with him to bring salvation to the world. God takes “misfits” and fits them perfectly into his plan.
    That’s why he’s called you. Yes, you. You really are not a misfit. You may think you are, but you’re not. When you say, “Yes, Lord. I will follow you.” you have spoken a life-changing commitment. No longer is your life your own to do as you please. In God’s grace, Jesus’ death and the Spirit-giving life, the Lord has begun in you a journey that goes step-by-step to perfectly walk with your personal, loving God. He takes you to the places he has prepared to reveal his word and to enlarge his kingdom. Such places could be as Joseph and Mary –  a crowded town, a stinky stable, a sheep pasture, a rocky road, 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.
    God’s salvation makes you his. I pray you enjoy the wonder of your journey with him all the way to heaven.
 
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 go pay the tax. But when you read these words, do you see the very bad news here? 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.
    Another aspect of this passage represents a point in history. Luke wants to give evidence of the timeframe, day and month (actually 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 historically define 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 sent his Son into the midst of political oppression at just the right time and into the right circumstances. It may seem odd our Lord would come when Rome ruled. But God turned the bad news into good news. He used Rome’s bondage over Israel as a means to spread the gospel into the world and to begin his church. The Roman Empire would be tolerant for a time of this new religion. Many of the new churches were founded within its borders. The Roman government would be a refuge to the early apostles as they escaped from the hatred of 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. too.
    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, the “bad news nation” became a “good news nation”. God is sovereign. He raises governments and deposes governments for his purposes.
   
Prayer: Lord, use our governments as a means of spreading the good news. Amen.