Luke 2:47-50 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”  50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
 
WITH all the evidence of Jesus’ conception, birth and purpose, would it not be logical for Joseph and Mary to go directly to the temple to find their son? Is it possible they looked upon the past events now 8-12 years distant as dim images of God’s promises? Maybe in seeing Jesus’ humanity, his earthly parents had found it difficult to remember that Jesus is God’s Son.
    This holy relationship would be a challenge for the Jews as our Lord ministered some 20 years later. People doubted his identity, his authority and his miraculous powers because of he was Mary’s and Joseph’s son. See, for example, John 6:42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”    
    Yes, this is one of the great debates. Is Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph and Mary, the Son of God? Even now, many who say they belong to Jesus’ church doubt and even deny Jesus’ identity, authority and miraculous power. Some even become Bible “scholars” and theology teachers, so they can spread their lies against God the Father, Son and Spirit. Mankind’s sin nature began in the denial of God’s identity, authority and miraculous power. “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1) This question casts its dark shadow over the sinful heart even now.
    At his early age, Jesus clearly says who he is. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”  is our Lord’s first recorded announcement that God is his Father. Jews in those days would say “our Father”. To them it was blasphemy to announce, “Yahweh, the I Am is ‘my Father’.” The Jews who followed the law barely spoke God’s name for fear of breaking the third commandment.
    Jesus, though, consistently testified to I Am as his Father. One very powerful, convicting teaching is John 8:54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.” And this very simple, direct confession: John 14:9 “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”
    God, the Son, has come to the world to reveal God, the Father through his incarnation and now through God, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity calls his own into his heavenly House. God’s will is that you will say, “My Father” as you dwell with him in the new Heaven and earth. John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” 
    Believe in Jesus, the Son. Live with God, the Father, forever.
 
Prayer: My Father in Heaven, thank you for sending Jesus to make it possible for his Father in Heaven to also become my Father in Heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. 

Luke 2:43-46 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
 
FROM our 21st-century view in America (We are not sure how you in other countries would see this.), we would find Joseph and Mary guilty of negligence. In the three days Jesus was absent from his parents, we can assume Mary and Joseph traveled one day from Jerusalem, discovered him missing, traveled one day back and found him on the third day. How could they travel for a day and not know he was absent?
    To gain an accurate understanding of the Bible, we must learn about the culture of the event, or narrative, we are studying. In this circumstance, we learn people then often traveled in caravans for safety from robbers. A caravan was a traveling community. Women and men traveled in separate groups. Children of various families could easily mingle together. Mary and Joseph would assume their 12-year-old son was with the other spouse, friends or relatives.
    Jesus’ age is also important to consider for that culture. Twelve-year-old boys were on the edge of adulthood. They were expected to assume much responsibility. Likely, Jesus was given freedom to go about his own business in the city. It was also common for many of the brightest boys to be in training for the understanding of the Torah – the Law of Moses – and the prophets’ teachings. Jesus was probably not the only boy at the temple to ask questions and to learn.
    Even more, our Lord was coming into the age where he fully understood his identity and his purpose.  He is absorbed with the teachings of the Word because he is the Living Word.
    Luke records this event to help us understand a pivotal moment in Jesus’ life as a human. He was faithful to go with his earthly parents to the Passover Feast. Jesus was also faithful to attend to his heavenly Father’s business in the temple.
    We must live in such a way as our Lord demonstrated here. Be faithful to family matters. Be faithful to the Lord’s matters. If you are, your children, your parents, your friends and your church will know where to find you.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, you are where I can find you. Give me wisdom to understand where you want me to attend to your business. Amen. 

Luke 2:41-42 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom.
 
WE have seen how Mary and Joseph were faithful to remember God’s law. Luke 2:20-24 tells us they took their newborn son Jesus to the priest for circumcision. Mary also went for her post-pregnancy cleansing ritual. This passage further affirms the couple continued to remember and obey the Lord’s commands. Each year they attended the Feast of Passover. This was the annual time at God’s command to remember God’s loving, gracious and powerful work to free the Jews from Egypt’s slavery and idol worship.
    How crucial it is to purposefully remember God’s grace to free us from sin. Each time we worship in church or with another group of Christians, we must remember God’s saving grace.
    Too often churches can be a place to go when it is convenient. Maybe we think it is good enough to go to church or to take communion occasionally.
    But nowhere in Scripture does God say, “Worship me however and whenever you feel like it.” That is essentially what happened in Israel. After King David’s reign, Judah had many kings who forgot God. When King Hezekiah came to Judah’s throne, he knew why the nation was in great trouble. Hear his words from 2 Chronicles 29:4 “Listen to me, Levites! Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the temple of the Lord, the God of your fathers. Remove all defilement from the sanctuary. 6 Our fathers were unfaithful; they did evil in the eyes of the Lord our God and forsook him. They turned their faces away from the Lord’s dwelling place and turned their backs on him…8 Therefore, the anger of the Lord has fallen on Judah and Jerusalem; he has made them an object of dread and horror and scorn, as you can see with your own eyes.”
    Sadly, God’s people became his enemy. Only a remnant worshiped the LORD. Hezekiah turned his nation to remember their Lord God. Peace reigned during Hezekiah’s reign. But future kings again forgot God, and he ultimately judged Judah into exile.
    Parents, guardians, leaders and teachers, you have a responsibility. Remember God. Tell your children of his commands and of his grace. Tell them why they need a Savior and teach them how Jesus saves. Remember Jesus’ command to remember: Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
    As Mary and Joseph remembered and worshiped the God of the Passover, we must worship God, the Passover Lamb.
    How is it possible to forget such great love? 

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.