Luke 2 Verses 1 to 20 Glory to God in the Highest December 22, 2024
Notes
Transcript
Luke 2 Verses 1 to 20 Glory to God in the Highest December 22, 2024
Class Presentation Notes AAAAA
Key Verse:
Luke 2:20 (NASB)
20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Create Interest:
• New parents are eager to announce the arrival of their precious newborn. They want to shout from the housetops “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” Whether by telephone, e-mail, social media, written letters, or word of mouth, the news travels. The news of Jesus’ birth also spread rapidly, but with a difference: it did not travel at the initiative of parents Mary and Joseph. Rather, the news traveled first at God’s initiative, then at the initiative of shepherds.
• The news of Christ’s birth is indeed news to be celebrated in our hearts today! But doing so is only half the task. The other half is to spread this news to “all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20) from generation to generation.
o Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV2011)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
• This is news that never grows old. This Christmas season we can choose to respond in awe and wonder yet again to the fact that God’s Son took on flesh to live among us, beginning his earthly life as an ordinary baby. He did so that he might offer the extraordinary gift of salvation to all who are willing to receive it. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15), the gift of “surpassing grace” (9:14b) that is made available by the arrival of Jesus!
• Today’s text paints the scene in which the news of Christ’s birth first begins to spread. As we consider reactions and responses on that long-ago night, we are reminded that we have the privilege of evaluating our own at this time each year.
• In a fresh approach to give you a glimpse into Biblical History, we will study this lesson through the lens of a reporter sent back in time armed with Biblical information of the times to interview the characters in this miraculous story. Join us as we meet these people and ask them what happened that special night.
Lesson in Historical Context:
• The Roman Empire was built through military conquest and was ruled with an iron hand. The tax burden was extremely heavy. Rome had two hard-and-fast rules: pay your taxes and keep the peace.
• Morally and spiritually, the empire was bankrupt. Pagan religions had proved to be whims or notions. People looked to their rulers for salvation, only to find them to be demons. Mystery religions flooded the Roman Empire. These religions were mixtures of Greek philosophy, Hebrew theology, and Oriental mysticism. In none of these was true satisfaction for the hunger of souls to be found. A fog of despair hovered over the entire Roman world.
• Into that setting God sent His Son Jesus with a message of salvation and hope — a salvation and hope made possible through Jesus’ redemptive work.
• The place of Jesus’ birth was Bethlehem. The year of His birth was 6 or 5 B.C. According to Roman records, Herod the Great died in 4 B.C., shortly after Jesus’ birth.
• God brought about the birth of Christ by perfect and completed timing (Galatians 4:4, 5). The timing related closely with God’s decision regarding the ideal place. Perfect time and perfect place intersected in the context of the Roman Empire during the reign of Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1), originally known as Gaius Octavius, who was emperor from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.
• The reign of Augustus saw the beginning of the so-called Pax Romana, or Roman Peace. Since the empire was largely free of military conflict during this time, the good news of Jesus the Christ could spread more rapidly.
• Little did anyone at the time know, however, that in Jesus’ birth God was inaugurating a kingdom not only of peace but a kingdom never to be destroyed; this was to fulfill Daniel 2:44 (compare Daniel 7:27; Luke 1:33).
o God even used Roman taxation policy to fulfill prophecy regarding the perfect place for Jesus’ birth: Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; compare Matthew 2:3-6; Luke 2:1-5).
o The fact that the Hebrew word Bethlehem means “house of bread” adds power to the imagery of the one sent to be “the bread of life” (John 6:35). The life he brought was deliverance from sin (Matthew 1:21).
• The Son arrived in one of the humblest ways possible: by being born to a young peasant woman who had to give birth in less than ideal surroundings. Most of us cannot imagine any newborn child—let alone the Son of God—being placed “in a manger” (Luke 2:7a), which is a feeding trough for animals! Since “there was no guest room available for them” (2:7b), the Plan B of Joseph and Mary has resulted in the popular depictions of Jesus’ birth in a stable (most likely a cave where animals were kept and fed, adjacent to the inn). It was in such a context that “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14). What a lowly beginning for the Son of God’s ministry!
Bible Study: (Brace yourselves for the reporter to allow responsible reporting combined with creative license to allow you to witness the interviews on locations in Judea.)
Luke 2:1-6 (NASB) Miraculous taxation
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
• The taxation was used by God to fulfill His plan for the birth of the Messiah. It had been prophesied that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, and Scripture had to be fulfilled. Joseph and Mary lived in Galilee, and Mary was now great with child. How was God going to make sure that the child was born in Bethlehem? The taxation happened just at the right time and in the right way; that is, everyone had to return to the city of his birth to pay his taxes. God was miraculously controlling the events of the world, working all things out for good so that He might fulfill His promise to send the Savior into the world.
• The taxation forced Joseph to Bethlehem. The point is that Bethlehem was the prophesied city of the Messiah's birth (Micah 5:2). The Scribes understood it (Matthew 2:5-6) and so did the common people (John 7:42). The taxation was certainly an event wrought in the plan of God to fulfill Scripture.
• The taxation led to the fulfillment of Scripture, despite man's plans. Mary was about to deliver; she was "great with child" (Luke 2:5). Apparently, Joseph and Mary had planned for the child to be delivered in Nazareth; but God overruled. He either caused or used the taxation and saw to it that Joseph and Mary were forced to Bethlehem.
o Micah 5:2 (NASB)
2 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."
o Matthew 2:4-6 (NASB)
4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5 They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6 'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"
o John 7:42 (NASB)
42 "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?"
Let’s Go Back in Time and be a witness alongside the reporter gathering this information….Smell the aroma of animals, listen to the sounds surrounding you, notice the busyness of the people going about life…and soak on the words of the interviewees ( if that is such a word…if not it is now😊)
• The birth of Jesus in humble circumstances was a momentous event in the history of humanity and God’s redemptive purpose. The glorious good news announced to the shepherds by the angel and the heavenly host calls on believers to continue to celebrate the coming of the Savior. The joyful response of the shepherds to their visit to see Jesus is an example of the joy that should characterize our celebrations of His birth.
Luke 2:4-7 (NASB) The Momentous Event
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Let’s listen to Luke:
• Luke, why did you write your Gospel? “As I wrote in my prologue (1:1-4), I wanted to write an orderly account of the good news of Jesus, which was based on the testimony of eyewitnesses, and which would show the certainty of the events about which we had been taught.”
o The apostles were the eyewitnesses of the life of Jesus. They were getting older and some of them had died. Others were beginning to write what the apostles had taught. Luke wrote in 1:1-4 that he felt led to write an orderly account of the things Christians believed. This is one reason for his inclusion of historical references such as 1:5; 2:1-2; 3:1. These references grounded the Bible events in history.
• Luke, why did you spend so much time on events surrounding the birth of Jesus? “I felt that the coming of Christ was the most momentous event of redemptive history to date. The climax of His ministry in His death and resurrection was crucial, but those events were foreshadowed by His birth.”
o Luke 1:5-2:39 tells of the events related to Jesus’ birth and infancy. Matthew 1:18-2:23 tells of other events and of some of the same events from the perspective of Joseph. These two writers under the leadership of the Spirit included many details about Jesus’ conception and birth. They obviously believed that these events were momentous in God’s redemptive plan.
Let’s hear from Joseph:
• Joseph, why did you make the long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem? “Caesar Augustus issued a decree that all people in the Roman Empire register for taxation. We Jews were told to go to our tribal ancestral city, which in my case was Bethlehem.”
o Nazareth was about 90 miles from Bethlehem, and much of this journey was uphill. Thus, Joseph went up in this long trip. It was a several-day journey. This was not a census that was taken at home but by ancestral tribes. Thus Joseph, being from the tribe of Judah, had to go to Bethlehem, which was called the city of David because it was the place of David’s birth. Micah 5:2 prophesied that the Messiah, or future Davidic King, would be born in Bethlehem. God used the decree of the Roman emperor in faraway Rome to set in motion a process that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem at just the right time for the birth of Jesus.
• Joseph, were you and Mary married or only betrothed when you took this trip? “We had been betrothed, but after the angel spoke to me about the unique manner of her conception, we were married. However, we had not come together as husband and wife and would not until after the birth of this special child.”
o Betrothed (engaged)wife translates emnesteumene. Strictly speaking, the word refers to the betrothal or engagement.
o In the Jewish culture betrothal was more formal and binding than engagement is today. “Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, (and) before they came together she was found to be with child” (Matthew 1:18, RSV; Luke 1:27; 2:5). Betrothal was considered preparation for marriage but was legally binding. If the marriage did not take place because of a breach of contract (the dowry not paid to her parents, sexual infidelity, etc.), the young woman could not be married to another man until she was freed by due process and a certificate of divorce. The permanence and faithfulness expected of the betrothal bond are figuratively described in God’s relationship with Israel: “I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness..”
o According to Matthew 1:20, however, the angel of the Lord told Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. Verses 24-25 states that they were married but that they did not have sexual relations until after the birth of Jesus. Luke may have used the word for betrothal because, although married, Joseph and Mary had not consummated their marriage.
• Joseph, why did you take Mary on this long trip? “Mary is my wife. God had entrusted her care to me. She was soon to bear a special son. Although the journey was long and hard, we did not want to be separated at such a time.”
o Some Bible students believe that Mary went because she also had to register for taxation. Many translations (as the KJV) imply that the words with Mary go with to be taxed. Others link the words with went up. “Luke’s point is not that they registered together, but that they traveled together.”
Let’s hear from Mary:
• Mary, how did you become pregnant? “The angel Gabriel appeared to me and told me that I was to bear a special child, who would be the Son of God. When I asked how this was possible since I was a virgin, Gabriel told me that the child would be conceived by the Holy Spirit.”
o The biblical account of this is in Luke 1:26-35. Joseph found out about it as described in Matthew 1:18-23. This was obviously a miracle. The people of the first century knew that a virgin did not bear a child. As a physician, Luke surely knew this; yet he believed in the virgin birth of Jesus.
• Mary, were you mistreated by the people of Bethlehem? “Not really. It is true that we could find no good accommodations better than a place where animals were kept, but many homes of the time had animals in part of the house. We were glad to be allowed to find shelter in the humble place where Jesus was born.”
o Bible students debate the meaning of the last part of verse 7. Some assume that the mention of no room for them in the inn implies a callous innkeeper who refused them a place to stay. Others note that the text does not say anything about an innkeeper. Robert H. Stein pointed out: “This does not refer to the lack of a ‘hotel room’ but lack of a suitable ‘place’ for Mary to give birth to her son. It does not imply any rejection on the part of the much-maligned innkeeper. The ‘inn’ probably refers to a public caravansary (a crude overnight lodging place for caravans), which was the one lodging place in Bethlehem.” Bible students debate exactly where they were. But it was some place where animals were kept, for a manger was a feeding trough for an animal.
• Mary, if the birth of Jesus was so momentous, why was He born in such humble circumstances? “God could have chosen a princess to bear His Son and have Him born in a palace, but He chose me, a humble girl, to bear Him; and He led us to the place in Bethlehem.”
o This humble beginning is consistent with the Servant role of Jesus (see Mark 10:45; Phil. 2:5-8).
o This momentous event literally split history in two. Oscar Cullmann in his book Christ and Time pointed out that Jesus came at the midpoint of redemptive history.
We date our years from the time of His birth (A.D. is from the Latin anno Domini, “the year of the Lord”), and we date the years before His birth (B.C. is “Before Christ”).
Earlier systems dated ahead from a fixed point. The Jewish calendar, for example, is dated from the supposed date of the creation. The Roman calendar was dated from the traditional date for the founding of Rome.
The Bible and other ancient literature often dated events from the beginning of the reign of a king or ruler (see 3:1).
o Cullmann noted that the unique thing about the Christian system is that it sees the coming of Jesus as the key to all that preceded and all that followed.
He wrote: “Our system, however, does not proceed from an initial point, but from a center; it takes as the mid-point an event which is open to historical investigation and can be chronologically fixed, if not with complete accuracy, at least within a space of a few years. This event is the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Thence proceed in opposite directions two enumerations, one forward, the other backward: ‘after Christ,’ ‘before Christ.’”
Thoughts to Soak on:
• Note how so many missed the first coming of Christ. How many will miss the second coming of Christ?
o Luke 21:34-35 (NASB)
34 "Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;
35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.
o Titus 2:11-13 (NASB)
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
Luke 2:8-14 (NASB) A Quiet Night/Dark Night…….and Then the Glorious News
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
• There was the unbelievable appearance of a real angel to shepherds. In the eyes of many, an angel would never appear to a shepherd.
o Shepherds would seldom be found praising and worshipping God; as a result, they were looked upon as anything but worshippers.
o Their reputation was lowly at best, and religious people snubbed and ignored them.
o They were despised because they were unable to attend services and to keep the ceremonial laws of washing and cleansing.
o Their flocks just kept them too busy.
What a beautiful foretaste of the salvation to come: God gave the first message of His Son to common shepherds, those looked upon as sinners.
Let’s hear from the shepherds:
• Shepherd, what were you doing when the angel appeared to you? “We were watching over our sheep during the night. Sheep need lots of care and protection, so one or more of us was always on watch.”
o We are not told whether the sheep were in a fold of some kind or were simply gathered together. Either way, shepherds had to protect them from thieves and wild animals.
• Shepherd, what time of the year was this? “I’m not good at keeping up with dates, but the weather was warm enough for us to be outside with the sheep.”
o Herschel H. Hobbs wrote: “Of course, the traditional time is December 25. However, the fact that the sheep were in the fields suggests a time between March and November, the time when they were kept out in the open.” The New Testament does not tell us the date of Jesus’ birth, nor does it call for an annual celebration of it. This custom developed in the centuries after the first century. Several dates were tried, but finally December 25 was chosen. Some Christian groups have objected to such a celebration, but most have embraced it as an opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
• Shepherd, do you believe in angels? “I believe in angels because one appeared to us and then an entire host of angels spoke, praising God. The first awareness we had of this was the radiant brightness that suddenly flooded the place. Then an angel spoke to us. At first, we were terrified, but the angel told us not to be frightened.”
o The angel of the Lord came upon them (“stood before them,” NKJV, HCSB; “appeared to them,” NIV). Glory is doxa, the brightness and splendor of the Lord. This shone round about them. Sore afraid is a combination of the Greek verb and noun for fear—ephobethesan phobon—together with the word “great” (megan), which literally means “to fear with a great fear.” Angels are prominent throughout the biblical account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. An angel also appeared to Zechariah, to Mary, and to Joseph.
Thoughts to Soak on:
• The Savior was coming to call sinners to repentance; therefore, the first announcement of His coming was given to sinners.
o Luke 5:30-32 (NASB)
30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?"
31 And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.
32 "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."
o 1 Corinthians 1:25-29 (NASB)
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
29 so that no man may boast before God.
Let’s hear from the Angel:
• Angel, why did you make the first announcement of the birth of Jesus to shepherds? “God made the choice; we angels are only messengers. Shepherds are among the lower class of people. God was trying to show that His Son came not for the high and mighty but for the poor and lowly.”
o Some Bible students also feel that respectable people considered shepherds dishonest sinners. This too might be part of the answer. In any case, they were not the first group that most people would expect to hear the good news of the birth of Jesus. In this respect, the shepherds are like the wise men. The wise men represented not poor Jews but pagan Gentiles. The New Testament shows that Jesus came for rich and poor, Jews and Gentiles.
• Angel, what was the good news that you announced? “I was sent by God to tell them of the birth of the Savior, who was the Messiah and the Lord. This good news was a message of joy for all people.”
o The angel delivered to them the greatest message they had ever heard. I bring you good tidings translates one Greek verb (euangelizomai) that means “to tell good news” or “to evangelize.” This verb form appears 10 times in Luke’s Gospel and 15 times in Acts. In the other Gospels it is used only once, in Matthew 11:5, which is a quotation of Isaiah 61:1. The noun form, euangelion — which came to us through the Anglo- Saxons as gospel (godspel; god, “good,” plus spell, a “tale”) or good news — does not appear at all in Luke’s Gospel and is found only twice in Acts (15:7; 20:24). Thus Luke 2:10 may well read, “I evangelize [or gospelize] to you great joy.” This good news, this gospel or good tidings, is not for Jews only; it is for all people. As Christians, we are to share the great joy, the good news, with people all over the world.
o And what is this good tidings of great joy? Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Three words stand out in verse 11: Savior (soter), Christ (christos), and Lord (kurios). At that time the world was looking for a savior (soter). For centuries the Hebrews had been looking for the Messiah (christos). And in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, the Greek word for Lord (kurios) was used to translate the Hebrew word Yahweh or Jehovah.
o Bethlehem was known as the city of David because it was the place of David’s birth. The birth has taken place in Bethlehem, but the angel designates the little village as the town of David instead. This is not a secret code, for the shepherds know immediately that the reference is to Bethlehem (see v. 15, below). The angelic designation is a reminder that the birthplace is the home of Israel’s great king, the one to whom God made a promise of a descendant whose throne would endure forever (1 Chronicles 17:11-14). That long-awaited promise is now coming to fulfillment.
o We have read the words of the angel so often that we have lost their full meaning. We need to recapture the excitement of these shepherds when they first heard the words. Phillips Brooks, in “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” compressed that significance into one sentence: “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight” (No. 86, The Baptist Hymnal, 1991).
• Angel, how did the words of the heavenly host supplement the good news you announced? “The heavenly host were a host of special angels who praised God for the announcement of the good news. Their praise focused on glory that is due to God in heaven and peace that comes by His grace to people on earth.”
o The word "host" (stratias ) means an army of angels, "ten thousand times ten thousand" (Daniel 7:10; cp. Psalm 68:17). God either gave the shepherds a special sight into the spiritual world and dimension or caused the spiritual dimension to appear to physical sight. Note: the angels did two things.
They cried out for glory to be lifted up to God...
They cried out for peace, for good will toward men. By peace is meant the peace of reconciliation, the good will between God and man.
The alienation and separation, struggle and divisiveness, restlessness and fear caused by sin needed to be solved.
The heavenly host was praising God that the alienation and separation were now being solved in the birth of the "Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
o The word for praising (ainounton) is used in the Bible only of praises to God. This is one way of celebrating the birth of Jesus—whether the praises are in songs, prayers, or testimonies. The praises included what takes place in heaven (in the highest) and what takes place on earth. The focus in heaven is on glory to God. The focus on earth is on peace, good will toward men. The words good will toward men translate anthropois eudokia. Other old manuscripts have anthropois eudokias. Although only one letter is different, the second version changes the case of the noun. The second reading can be translated “to men on whom his favor rests” (NIV) or “to people He favors” (HCSB). The emphasis seems to be on God’s grace or good will directed to people on earth and expressed in peace.
o Peace (eirene) is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew shalom. Both mean more than the cessation of war, although the promise of the future is that God will cause wars to cease. The emphasis here is on the divine salvation that is brought by the coming of the Savior. This includes peace with God (Rom. 5:1), peace with fellow believers (Eph. 2:14), and inner peace that passes human understanding (Phil. 4:7). The celebration of Christmas signifies all these aspects of peace.
Angel, you announced the baby will be identified with a sign indicating which newborn child is the right one. Could you educate us on why you did that? “The sign also indicates the kind of king the child will be. The sign is not that the child is to be found wrapped in cloths (what older translations call “swaddling clothes”); to be wrapped that way is just normal procedure. A nonbiblical work written a century or two before Jesus reflects this normalcy: “I was nursed with care in swaddling clothes. For no king has a different beginning of existence” (Wisdom of Solomon 7:4, 5; contrast Ezekiel 16:4). Therefore, to be wrapped in cloths is nothing unique as a sign.’’ In addition, the unique sign, rather, is that this child lies in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. No lodging is available for the family (Luke 2:7), so Joseph and Mary had taken shelter with animals, perhaps in one of the caves near Bethlehem used as a stable. The promised king, the powerful Lord and Savior, is born in the lowliest of circumstances!
What Do You Think?
In what format do you find the retelling of the Christmas story especially meaningful? Why?
Thoughts to Soak on and discuss:
• This heavenly messenger does not come in judgment but in mercy. So he tells the shepherds to not be afraid (compare Luke 1:13, 30). The angel brings good news, like the prophet Isaiah’s promise of good news for the suffering people of God (see Isaiah 40:9; 52:7; 61:1). The joyous news is not just for the shepherds but also for all who await the fulfillment of God’s promises.
• We notice that this glorious message for all the people is first given to ordinary, lowly shepherds. God’s glory works that way.
What Do You Think?
What are some ways the Christmas season renews your hope? Why is that?
A Story from our History to remember and share:
Christmas of 1914 was the first Christmas of what was to become the bloodiest war in human history until that time. The horrors of trench warfare already had begun and German troops were fighting the Allied armies of France and Britain. A spontaneous feeling of peace broke out along the trenches, especially in the places where British and German soldiers had been fighting. Each side heard the other singing, and courageous individuals ventured into “no man’s land” between the trenches. An informal Christmas truce was agreed to at many points. Each side allowed the other to collect their dead and wounded. Individuals and groups from opposing sides met and exchanged various tokens.
A 25-year-old lieutenant with the Scots Guards, Sir Edward Hulse, wrote in the battalion diary, “Detachments of British and Germans formed a line and a German and English Chaplain read some prayers alternately. The whole of this was done in great solemnity and reverence.” When the higher officers of both sides discovered that their troops had ceased slaughtering one another, they angrily ordered the troops back to the fighting. This never happened again in any of the wartime Christmases that followed. The fighting had become too brutal. However, for one Christmas the spirit of peace inherent in the coming of the Prince of peace spread its influence over the battlefront. This is one of the good things about Christmas. It reminds us of the inner peace we have now and gives us hope for the coming of the ultimate peace foretold in Scripture.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
Luke 2:13-14 (NASB)
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
Angel, the shepherds related a heavenly ceremony after your announcement. You told us about the “heavenly host”, could you tell us more about that? “In heaven we call that an angelic chorus that was admittedly planned since the creation of the world. We were pumped about this event and we had what you call a “get down” ceremony. God allowed us and directed us to cut loose with all we had…Our best singing and he threw in his light show that blew away the Aurora Borealis in the north part of the world. It was great! God allowed all his angelic forces to join in. Heaven’s army, as you would imagine, is so much more powerful than any human army, and joined in praise to God for the Christ, the Messiah, Lord and King, who was lying in an animal’s feeding trough. In the vocabulary of your time, it blew us away…What a rush!”
Thoughts to Soak On:
• Who is worthy of glory? Only God—the true God who is sending his Son as a human infant who lay in a manger.
• God is supreme, above all who pretend to have authority or power. The highest glory can belong only to him.
• In sending his Son, God is bringing his supreme blessing to humanity. Earth has been filled with turmoil, violence, and fear ever since our first parents rebelled against God. Now God promises to restore his peace to the troubled earth.
• For the shepherds living under Roman occupation, the angelic note of praise strikes another contrast. The Pax Romana, or “Roman peace,” is what Rome claims to give its subjects. Now true peace, God’s peace, is near—not through Caesar but through God’s anointed one.
What Do You Think?
How can your church better promote the peace Christ brings?
Luke 2:15-20 (NASB) The Joyous Celebration
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."
16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
• Shepherd, why did you decide to go and seek the child? “As soon as the angel and the heavenly host left, we all began to talk at once. Each one wanted to go right away and see what the Lord had told us through His angels.”
o The words “to one another” and “let us” show that the shepherds were all agreed. Now go shows that they went quickly. The last part of verse 15 shows that they considered the angels’ message what the Lord had made known to them. The words they came with haste also shows how quickly they acted. They are good examples of those who respond quickly to the Word of the Lord.
• Shepherd, I noticed you were in a big hurry to find the child, why? “We were so frightened we could barely speak….but we got it together and decided to rush so see for ourselves. We could not believe what we saw…We are nobodies around here, you know. Why would that information be shared with us….We had to know and fast!
• Shepherd, how did you find the child? “We remembered that the angel had told us that the sign was that He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. We asked around and the Lord led us to the place. There we found the child, with Mary and Joseph.”
o Many nativity scenes and Christmas pageants have the wise men also coming to the place of Jesus’ birth; however, they came later when the Child was in a house (Matt. 2:11). Thus, the shepherds were the first group of outsiders not only to hear the message of Jesus’ coming but also to see the newborn King.
• Shepherd, why did you tell the people of Bethlehem, and how did they respond? “We had experienced something that we could not keep to ourselves. Therefore, we told everyone we met what the angel had told us and what we had found. The people of Bethlehem showed wonder and amazement at what we told them. I don’t know if they themselves went to seek the Savior.”
o Throughout his two volumes of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, the author emphasizes that when people see what God has done in Christ, they share the news with others (examples: Luke 7:16, 17; Acts 8:4). The angel has brought “good news that will cause great joy” to the shepherds (Luke 2:10, above). Now, having seen the child about whom the angel spoke, they feel compelled to tell others. The shepherds are witnesses of what God has just done. There will be many more eyewitnesses in the years ahead regarding Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection.
What Do You Think?
When were times you had to share good news immediately with others?
If none of these involved the message of the gospel, why not?
Luke 2:18 (NASB)
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
• The shepherds added another “first” to their list. They were also the first humans to tell the good news of the coming of Jesus. The words all they that heard it wondered (“were amazed,” NIV, HCSB; “marveled,” NKJV) do not tell us whether their wonder led them to go to where Jesus was and see Him for themselves.
• Like others who have heard the stories surrounding the conception and birth of John the Baptist, those who hear the shepherds’ story display amazement at this message (compare Luke 1:65, 66). The people are uncertain about its meaning. Have these shepherds truly seen and heard angels? How can a poor infant sleeping in a feeding trough be God’s promised king? How can anyone so weak challenge the power of Caesar? How can God bring peace to his people by such a means as this?
• Years later, Jesus’ disciples will wonder whether it is really Jesus who appears before them alive after he dies the death of a criminal on a cross (Luke 24:41).
o Indeed, God can bring peace to his people by such a means as this!
o In his Son’s submissive lowliness, his obedience to the mission of the cross, God triumphs over all the powers that hold the world in the grip of evil.
o It is indeed an amazing message, but it is a true message.
Luke 2:19 (NASB) Quiet Reflection
19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
• Mary the awe-stricken, pondering mother. This is a beautiful picture of a humble, trusting heart. Mary had been told that her child was of God, truly of God. Above all others she knew that the Messiah, the very Son of God, had now come. She had been through so much: pregnant, yet unmarried; the possibility of being found out and of rumors heaped upon rumors; the discussions with Joseph and with her parents; the long trip from Nazareth; the exhaustion of giving birth without help in a smelly stable; the visit of some rough-hewn shepherds with an amazing story of the heavenly host proclaiming the praises of God. Mary was tired, as weary and exhausted as a person could be. So much had happened, and she was at the very center of it all. No one could even begin to know the thoughts that had filled her mind for nine months, nor could anyone know the feelings and emotions of the experience. The wonder, the amazement, the astounding reality was too much to talk about. All she could do was continue in the humble sweetness that had so characterized her over the past months. She merely bowed once again in humble adoration to God and quietly entrusted all these things into God's keeping. She said nothing, only pondered in her heart what was happening.
Let’s Hear more from Mary:
• Mary, what was your response to the events of that night? “I was, of course, caught up in the mixed pain and joy of delivering a child. I knew from what the angel had told me and from my own experience that He was more than merely a human child. In light of what happened later, I realize that at the time I did not fully understand the nature of His mission as Savior and what it would cost Him; however, I kept my memories of that special night and pondered them in my heart.”
o Verse 19 is our source for this answer, along with later references to Mary in the New Testament. Simeon told Mary a few days later that a sword would pierce her soul (v. 35). Kept (“treasured,” NIV) and pondered describe Mary’s responses. She remembered all these things, and she spent much time considering the meaning of these events. Many Bible students think that Mary may have been Luke’s human source for the intimate events of Luke 1-2.
• The best informed of the witnesses is Jesus’ mother, Mary. She had received the angel Gabriel’s first message about the pending birth of her child (Luke 1:26-38). She had heard Elizabeth, her relative, exalt her child as “Lord” (1:43-45). Mary had herself praised God for what he was promising to do (1:46-55).
• But even for Mary, the events are not yet entirely clear. Why does she find herself in a stable? Why do shepherds come in from the fields at night to see her child? How will her child take his place as God’s king? We easily imagine such questions going through Mary’s mind as she struggles to put everything together, to make sense of it all.
• Luke will later note that Mary keeps memories in her heart of amazing things associated with Jesus’ childhood (Luke 2:51). Her puzzlement will be greatest when, as Simeon will prophesy, her heart is pierced with a sword of grief at Jesus’ death (2:35). Jesus’ death will become the lowest point of his lowly calling that begins in the manger. But the cross is to be answered by the triumph of the resurrection, demonstrating that God is truly victorious through Jesus’ voluntary weakness. This is what Mary and all who follow Jesus must come to understand.
What Do You Think?
How are you like and unlike others regarding the kinds of experiences you ponder most in your heart? Why is this question important?
Luke 2:20 (NASB)
20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
• There were the common, non-religious shepherds worshipping God.
o The shepherds had spread the message but note a shocking fact. The shepherds alone are seen praising God. No one else is seen seeking or praising the Savior.
o The shepherds were praising God for what they had heard and seen. God had spoken to them and they had received the message. They obeyed God's instructions to seek out the Messiah; therefore, they had been privileged to see the Messiah. They had reason to praise God. (How many hear and see, yet never respond and never praise God?)
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NASB)
11 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
12 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
The shepherd jumps back to the interview:
• Shepherd, what were the continuing results of your experiences of that night? “We were never the same after that night. Even as we went back to our work we went with joy and praise to God for what we had seen and heard.”
o This verse shows that the effect of seeing the Lord ought to be continuing praise and joy. We can apply this to the continuing effects of celebrating the birth of Jesus. This ought not to be confined to one day or season but should permeate all our days and seasons.
While by the sheep we watched at night,
Glad tidings brought an angel bright.
How great our joy! How great our joy!
Joy, joy, joy! Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in heav’n on high!
Praise we the Lord in heav’n on high!
Thoughts to Soak on:
• When they had seen they made known abroad the saying" (v. 17). They believed, and therefore they spoke. They could not help speaking it, it is such good tidings of great joy. They make known the saying because it is a faithful one and worthy of the acceptation of all (1 Tim. 1:15),
o 1 Timothy 1:15 (NASB)
15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
• "They returned glorifying and praising God" (v. 20). We may well question whether we have ever found the Lord if we have no joy in speaking of Him, and not constrained out of a full heart to glorify and praise Him.
o If the Gospel is not tidings of great joy to us it is clear that we have never yet believed it.
o The shepherds: Heard; Believed; Obeyed; Received; Testified; Rejoiced; Praised. "They returned praising God." Returned to their daily avocation, but with a new vision before their souls, and a new power in their lives.
o Finding Jesus, the Savior, is a very practical discovery.
Spiritual Transformations
God used the emperor’s decree to have Jesus born in Bethlehem after Joseph and Mary journeyed there. This momentous event divided history. Angels announced the good news of the birth of the Savior, Christ, and Lord to shepherds. The shepherds went quickly to Bethlehem, saw Jesus, told others, and returned glorifying and praising God.
Christian joy and peace, praising and glorifying God are appropriate at any season, especially at Christmas.
• In what ways do you and your family celebrate Christmas?
_____ Read the Bible story of Jesus’ birth from Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1-2
_____ Read other Christmas stories that reflect the spirit of Christmas
_____ Sing and listen to Christmas music
_____ Worship in church
_____ Get together as a family
_____ Give to missions and to other needs
____ Decorate for Christmas in a manner that honors Christ
_____ Give to people who are less fortunate
