Today I want to do something different. I’d like to challenge you to start reading a chapter
in the book of Luke each day. We are
already a day behind so this will take you through Christmas. If you start December 1st with reading a book
in Luke each day, by Christmas Eve, you will have read the full account of
Christ’s life here on earth. How much
more meaningful would Christmas then be?
Today, being December 2nd, I’d like to share
Luke 2:
Luke
2
The Birth
of Jesus
2 In those
days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the
entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius
was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 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. 5 He went
there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was
expecting a child. 6 While
they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her
firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because
there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there
were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks
at night. 9 An
angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be
afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the
people. 11 Today in
the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the
Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a
baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly
a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and
saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest
heaven,
and on earth
peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the
angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has
told us about.”
16 So they
hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the
manger. 17 When they
had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about
this child, 18 and all
who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all
these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were
just as they had been told.
21 On the
eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus,
the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Jesus Presented
in the Temple
22 When the
time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph
and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the
Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in
keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young
pigeons.”
25 Now there
was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was
waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him
by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he
went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do
for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms
and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have
promised,
you may now
dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have
seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the
sight of all nations:
32 a light for
revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of
your people Israel.”
33 The
child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them
and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the
falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken
against, 35 so that
the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own
soul too.”
36 There was
also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She
was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until
she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and
day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave
thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the
redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When
Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they
returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and
became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
The Boy
Jesus at the Temple
41 Every
year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years
old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was
over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in
Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their
company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among
their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to
Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple
courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them
questions. 47 Everyone
who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him,
they were astonished. 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. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my
Father’s house?” 50 But they
did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he
went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother
treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom
and stature, and in favor with God and man.
