Daily Reading:
Luke 2
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar
Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration
took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be
registered, each to his own town.
4 And Joseph also went up from the town of
Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along
with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there,
the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn
Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding
trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 In the same region, shepherds were
staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then
an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,
for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the
people: 11 Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the
city of David. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped
snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the
heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in
the highest heaven,
and peace on earth
to people He favors!
15 When the angels had left them and
returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to
Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They hurried off and found both Mary and
Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. 17 After seeing them,
they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard
it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring
up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as
they had been told.
The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus
21 When the eight days were completed for
His circumcision, He was named Jesus—the name given by the angel before He was
conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of
Moses were finished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the
Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male
will be dedicated to the Lord) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what
is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons).
Simeon’s Prophetic Praise
25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name
was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s
consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by
the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.
27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple complex. When the parents
brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law,
28 Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:
29 Now, Master,
You can dismiss
Your slave in peace,
as You promised.
30 For my eyes have
seen Your salvation.
31 You have
prepared it
in the presence of
all peoples—
32 a light for
revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to Your
people Israel.
33 His father and mother were amazed at
what was being said about Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother
Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in
Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce your
own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Anna’s Testimony
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having
lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for
84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with
fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God
and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of
Jerusalem.
The Family’s Return to Nazareth
39 When they had completed everything
according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town
of Nazareth. 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and
God’s grace was on Him.
In His Father’s House
41 Every year His parents traveled to
Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When He was 12 years old, they went up
according to the custom of the festival. 43 After those days were over, as they
were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did
not know it. 44 Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s
journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. 45
When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. 46
After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the
teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all those who
heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48 When His
parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why
have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching
for You.”
49 “Why were you searching for Me?” He
asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50 But
they did not understand what He said to them.
In Favor with God and with People
51 Then He went down with them and came to
Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her
heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and
with people.
Key: Bold - Verse of the Day
Reflection: It seems as though, when life finds us at our busiest, is when we need the most to find that small quiet barn, and to get alone with our Savior as He peacefully lays in the feeding trough (this was the first time I realized manger was actually the feeding trough, not the entire scene.). Isn't ironic how God gave the Bread of Life to us and His first clue was to place Him inside a feeding trough?
Discussion Topic: How did you celebrate the birth of Christ?
Prayer: Father in heaven, we come to you eager to the see the Glory you revealed to the shepherds, knowing that You alone are Holy, Holy, Holy. We bow before You, because You chose to have Your Glory revealed through Your Son, Jesus, beginning with the most humble of beginnings. Oh Lord, prepare our hearts for Your return. Search our hearts and reveal to us the things in our life that are not of You. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. In Jesus name, Amen!
Acknowledgements: Scripture - BibleGateway.com, Image -http://irenepk2.deviantart.com/art/Nativity-Scene-145302453
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