“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…

“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.”  Luke 2:4 The desire to belong is an essential part of our human nature. Brené Brown, author of “The Gifts of Imperfection,” and an expert on shame, writes, “A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all women, men, and children. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We…

“And everyone went to their town to register.”  Luke 2:3 Have you ever registered for gifts at a store? You know, when you get married or are expecting a child? I loved registering for all the essentials my future husband and I would need to set up a home. We choose just the right set of dishes, the perfect blender, and the best toaster on the shelf. After the wedding, we enjoyed opening each of these gifts chosen and given to us. We did not leave one gift unopened. God knew and planned for us to receive the gift of Jesus Christ at just the right time. He had chosen…

“…that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)” Luke 2:1b-2 The reason for a census in Luke was for taxation purposes. It was an act of greed and power by a government official. Today we take the census to ensure we have proper representation in government. Our Founding Fathers thought this data so important that they mandated it as part of the Constitution.  “For unto us, a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,…

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree…” Luke 2:1a Our mighty King spoke this world into existence with this decree: “Let there be light.” The sovereign decrees, proclamations, and declarations issued by God put a plan into motion years ago. A plan for the eternal salvation of our souls. Caesar Augustus issued a decree that sent Joseph and Mary on a donkey ride to Bethlehem. It was an official order for everyone to return to their hometown and register. Caesar’s agenda was not to bring glory to God but to create an empire that would make him a god to be served. He signed a tax bill to make money…