“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.’”     Luke 2:15 The Shepherds’ very first response after hearing this good news was to leave everything and go see this thing that has happened. They were not just popping over to the maternity ward at Bethlehem General Hospital to drop off a quick baby gift. No, they were going to see an event that changed the world. The shepherds realized that the prophecies passed on from generations of old, had come to pass and that the…

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’”Luke 2:13 Have you ever been startled by something? Maybe, if someone jumps out at you from behind a wall, you might feel scared or startled: your heart may skip a beat at the unexpected sight. The shepherds were quietly tending to their own business when suddenly angels appeared out of nowhere. I’m not surprised they were afraid. Even though the sudden appearance of angels startled the shepherds, they were not startled by the announcement of a…

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 Many have asked why the good news of the birth of Jesus was first delivered to the shepherds. Here are three reasons to consider: God chose to announce the arrival of a King to a group of people who were looked down upon by many. He would be looked down upon by many throughout history. The shepherds represent all of us. None of us are…

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over the flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” Luke 2:8 On August 21, 2017, millions of people from Oregon to South Carolina took their chairs, protective eyewear, and camera’s and sat outside in the middle of the workday to watch the sky. Just like the shepherds in the fields, what they saw was a rare vision. That day, we saw the first total solar eclipse visible from coast to coast in 99 years. Had we, or the shepherds not been…

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:7b That night there was no room at the inn, so our Savior was born in a manger. I wonder what that Inn Keeper thought after finding out the Savior of the World was born in his stable. Did he regret not making a room available to the Prince of Peace? How available do you make yourself for the King of the world? I don’t want to miss out on my opportunity to make room for the work God wants to do in my life. It does not take…

“and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.” Luke 2:7a In the Old Testament, the firstborn son was the one who would receive a double inheritance and the one who would take over his father’s role as head of the family. The fact that Jesus is the firstborn has even greater importance. In Revelation 1:5 Jesus Christ is called the “firstborn from the dead.” This means that Jesus is the first to rise from the dead and the first in the new creation. As Christians, we have the hope that one day, we will follow Christ into the new creation. The hope that, as heirs, we reign with Him…

“…and was expecting a child” Luke 2:5b Expectations, we all have them. Perhaps you were expecting a fairy tale marriage? Or the offer you accepted did not turn out to be the dream job you had hoped it would be. I wonder what Mary was expecting as the mother of Jesus. Did she comprehend what was about to occur? Was she ready for it? Did she wonder if she would be a good mother? As the birth of my first child was approaching, I was filled with much emotion. I was filled with the anticipation of seeing his face for the first time, holding him in my arms, and feeling…

“He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him..”  Luke 2:5a Mary was most likely a young girl who knew the Scriptures and loved the Lord. The Bible teaches us that God was pleased with Mary and chose her to be the mother of Jesus. Joseph and Mary were pledged to be married when Mary became pregnant. Pregnant without having been with Joseph or any other man. Both Joseph and Mary’s hearts were pledged to God; that is why Joseph accepted what the angel had said and married Mary. Their pledge of obedience to God is key in the story of salvation. We can…