Luke 2:1-21 Common English Bible:
Jesus’ birth
In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.
Announcement to shepherds
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angel stood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people. 11 Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
Jesus’ circumcision, naming, and temple presentation
When eight days had passed, Jesus’ parents circumcised him and gave him the name Jesus. This was the name given to him by the angel before he was conceived.
This year I am reminded of the first scripture I was taught to memorize as a child, John 3:16 “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” -KJV
In Luke’s beloved Gospel narrative, we see how God’s love for all humankind unfolded with the coming of God’s only Son, Jesus. Here, it is God’s angel who came directly from the heavenly realm to the humble shepherds to bring this wonderful, joyous news for all people. Author Jill J. Duffield writes, “God did not remain aloof or aloft in the heavenly realm, leaving us to our own devices or limitations. The Triune God refuses to let chaos, sin, evil, or death have the final word. When all is obscured and we are terrified and utterly vulnerable, Jesus moves into the neighborhood. . . and we see the face of God in unexpected places...” God became one of us, fully human yet fully divine. Born of a woman, living among us, completely relating to us, Jesus later died for us to save us from our sins, thus reconciling us to God our Creator.
God’s love for us came full circle from Jesus coming to live among us to his returning to God. One day he will come again to take believers to himself, and we will have everlasting life with God in heaven.
As the angel and humble shepherds first bore witness of the good news may we, too bear witness to the God who refuses to abandon us and sends the Son, not to condemn this world, but to save it.
May you and yours experience God’s love and blessings this Christmas and always.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Annette Carper
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