2024/01/02 – Luke 2: Jesus Is Born

Reading: Luke 2: Jesus Is Born

Daily-Devo:

Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, but Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth of Galilee. The time of his birth was near, so the Lord arranged for Augustus to call for a census of all the world. Every person had to go to the city of his nativity, so Joseph went to Bethlehem taking Mary with him, for the time for the birth of her son was near. (There is no mention of a donkey; there may have been one, or they may have walked.)

She gave birth to Jesus, her firstborn, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. Some teach that she was a perpetual virgin, but Scripture speaks of his brothers and sisters. Scripture does not support the immaculate conception of Mary’s mother as pronounced by Pope Pius IX in 1854. This is the doctrine that Mary was conceived without original sin because of the immaculate conception of her mother. Why would this doctrine not include Mary’s father as well; if he had original sin, would it not pass to Mary?

Back to Luke, who said there were Shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep that night. An angel stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The Shepherds were terrified, but the angel said, “Fear not! I bring you good news of great joy for all people of the world. To you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. You will find a child in a manger.” Suddenly, a host of angels were saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and peace on earth among those He favors.”

The angels left, and the shepherds hastily went to Bethlehem and found Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. They told the parents what the angels had said. All who heard it were amazed, but Mary treasured these words and pondered them in her heart. Others may have been amazed for a short time, but Mary thoughtfully considered what the Shepherds said. On the eighth day, the baby boy was circumcised and received His name, Jesus, the name that is higher than all names.

On the 40^th day, he was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem for the purification of Mary. They offered the sacrifice of the very poor, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

There was a righteous man in Jerusalem, Simeon, who looked for Israel’s comfort. The Holy Spirit rested on him and revealed to him he would live to see the Messiah. Simeon took Jesus in his arms saying, “Master, my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory in Israel.”

Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed – and a sword will pierce your soul too.”

There was also a Prophetess, Anna, a woman of great age who lived in the Temple, fasting and praying night and day. She came and began to praise God and speak about the infant to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Others may have ignored the words of the elderly Simeon and Anna, Mary kept these things in her heart. She would often bring them out to ponder over as her child continued to grow and become strong.

Luke says nothing about their flight into Egypt following the visit of the Magi recorded in Matthew. He merely says they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.

They did take Jesus to the Passover when He was twelve years old. He stayed behind when his parents joined a caravan of returning worshippers. At the end of the day, they looked for him among the crowd, but could not find him. The next day, they returned to Jerusalem; on the third day, they found him in the Temple, asking and answering questions among the teachers of the law. All were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

His mother said to Him, “Child, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching for You in great anxiety!” He replied, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be about the things of MY Father?” They did not understand what He said to them. Nevertheless, He went home with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. Mary treasured all these things in her heart. Jesus increased in wisdom and years – and in favor with God and man.