Luke 2 :8

Luke 2:8 says, And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, shepherds in the same country were keeping watch over their flock at night.  They were lowly people in the eyes of the world, doing what they did everyday.  We may be lowly in the eyes of the world, but we are still precious to God.  Verse nine adds, And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  The routine night of the shepherds was interrupted by the appearance of an angel, who is simply identified as the angel of the Lord.  When the angel came, God's glory shined all around them,and the were very afraid.   I have a feeling that we would be too if this happened to us, but since the Holy Spirit lives within us as followers of Christ, God's glory should shine out through us to the world around us.  Verse ten states, And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  The angel told the shepherds to not be afraid, because he brought good tidings of great joy, which would be available to all people.  When a person encounters Jesus Christ today through hearing the good news or gospel, there is no reason to be afraid.   Verse eleven adds, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  The good news was that in Bethlehem, the city of David, a Savior had been born to them, a bunch of lowly shepherds mostly over looked by the world.  When we hear the gospel of Christ, it applies to us, no matter our status, and if we accept believe it, then we know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord.  Verse twelve continues, And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  The angel then told the shepherds how to identify Jesus, the Savior.  He would not be a prince in a palace, but a baby in a manger.  This is probably not what they would have expected a Savior to be, and today Jesus is still not what a lot of people expect a Savior to be.  Verse thirteen declares, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Suddenly, the angel was joined by a heavenly host praising God.  If the angels were afraid before, their fear might have gone even higher.  Verse fourteen adds, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  The angels were praising God by calling for Him to be glorified in heaven so that there might be peace on earth.  Even if the whole world were to be at war, there still should be the peace of God for God's people.  Verse fifteen says, And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  After appearing, sharing the good news and praising God, the angels left.  They did not tell the shepherds what they had to do.  When we hear the gospel of Christ today, they one sharing it with us really cannot tell us that we have to believe it.  It is up to each individual to either accept or reject the gospel.  The shepherds decided to go and see for themselves what the angels had told them they would find.  Ultimately, each individual has to decide whether to come to Jesus Christ in faith based on belief in the gospel or to reject Him by disbelief.  Verse sixteen adds, And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  The shepherds left their flocks and went with haste and found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus lying in a manger, just as the angel had said they would.  When we hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, we need to leave whatever we are doing and come to Him for salvation.  Verse seventeen continues, And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  The shepherds told everyone what they had heard and seen, and so should we as Christians today.  Verse eighteen states, And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  The people who heard what the shepherds said wondered about it, but we are not told that they attempted to verify it themselves.  It is not enough to wonder about the gospel, but we must accept the truth of the gospel for it to do us any good.  Verse nineteen adds, But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  Mary kept all the things the shepherds said and pondered them in her heart. Verse twenty continues,  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.  The shepherds went back to their flocks praising God for all that they had seen and heard.  When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we will still probably be doing the same job that we were doing before, but we should do so praising God.

Luke 2:1

Luke 2:1 says, And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  In the time period that Elisabeth had her baby, John, and Mary was expecting her baby, Jesus, Caesar Augustus decreed that the world should be taxed.  This also served as a census.  We are not the first people to be taxed, nor will we be the last.  Verse two adds, (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  We are told a little more about the taxing.  The whole world that was known then was under Roman rule, including the people of Israel.  Matthew Henry points out that the world was at peace at this time.  Verse three continues, And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  Unlike today, when we mail our taxes, the people then, including Mary and Joseph, had to go to their own city to be taxed and counted.  Verse four states, And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem for this taxing and census, because he, and Mary, were of the house and lineage of David.  Matthew Henry says that there was some conjecture that only thee descendants of David, the historical powerful king of Israel, were required to return to their historical home to be counted so that the Roman rulers could more easily keep up with them.  Whether it was all the Jews or just the descendants of David this was required of, the decree brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.  Verse five adds, To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  Caesar Augustus thought he was bringing them there to be counted and taxed, but Joseph and Mary were there to fulfill God's prophesy.  Mary had to travel to Bethlehem because of a decree of the government, even though she was close to giving birth, but she was there because that is where she needed to be according to God's prophesy.  Just as God used a ruler then who did not believe in Him to accomplish His purpose, He can do the same thing today.  Verse six continues, And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, it became time for her to have her baby.  This was the time chosen by God, and she was where God needed her to be.  She did not just tell Joseph that they had to get to Bethlehem before the baby was born, but God made it necessary by the use of a secular ruler who only thought he was exercising his power.  If we put our faith in Jesus Christ and do what He calls us to do, He can even use secular governments to accomplish His purpose.  Even if we feel helpless to do anything other than obey, we need to recognize that as long as we remain obedient to God He will work through us to accomplish His purpose.  Verse seven declares,  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  Mary gave birth to Jesus, her first born Son.  She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.  There couldn't have been a mere lowly birth.  The world did not suddenly change outwardly, but it certainly changed spiritually.  God's redemption plan was being fulfilled, and the promised Messiah was born.  Just like then, many people today have no room in their heart for Jesus Christ, and for them He will always remain outside in a manger.  Jesus did not come as an all powerful ruler, but as a Child born without even a room in the inn.  Jesus was not Who the religious leaders expected Him to be, and He is still not Who too many people except Him to be today. 

Luke 1:67

Luke 1:67 says, And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,  Having been given the ability to speak again, Zacharias did so filled with the Holy Ghost.  If we speak today, being given that power by God, we need to do so by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Verse sixty-eight adds, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,  Zacharias began by stating that God should be blessed, because He had visited and redeemed His people.  This above all other reasons is why we should acknowledge the blessings to God today.  Verse sixty-nine continues, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;  Zacharias said God had raised up a horn of salvation from the house of David.  This had not yet occurred, but was underway.  Verse seventy states, As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:  Zacharias said God had spoken by His holy prophets since the world began.  They were not holy because of their own goodness, but because of their relationship with God, just as we are today.  Verse seventy-one adds, That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;  We have indeed been saved forever from our enemies and those that hate us.  Nothing can ever separate those who are followers of Christ from the heavenly Father.  Verse seventy-two continues, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;  Zacharias said God was going to perform the promise made to their fathers and them.  God did fulfill His promise of the coming Messiah, and His fulfillment of that promise still applies to anyone who will put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse seventy-three says, The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, The promise made to Abraham remains true today.  Verse seventy-four adds, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,  God has forevermore delivered us from the hands of our enemies and we should be serving Him without fear.  Verse seventy-five continues, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.  As Zacharias said, as we serve God without fear, we also are to serve Him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.  Verse seventy-six states, And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;  Zacharias now began to speak to his son John, telling him he would be a prophet of the Highest and go before the coming Lord to prepare His ways.  We know that John did, and we must go before the returning Lord to prepare the way for His return.  Verse seventy-seven adds, To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,  The remission of sins can only come by faith in Jesus Christ, which John was to prepare the people for.  Verse seventy-eight continues, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,  Salvation can only come from the mercy of God on high, Who visited us in the person of Jesus Christ to bring us salvation by faith in Him.  Verse seventy-nine concludes, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.  Jesus Christ is the light of the world and the only source of true peace, and until we accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord, we will continue to sit in spiritual darkness.  Verse eighty declares, And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.  John grew strong physically and spiritually in the desert until it was time to do what God has called him to do.  As we are waiting to do what God has for us to do, we should use the time to grow spiritually stronger.

Luke 1;57

Luke 1:57 aays, Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.  God's promise to Zacharias was fulfilled and Elisabeth had a son.  We can be certain that God's promises will always be fulfilled.  Verse fifty-eight adds, And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.  Elizabeth's neighbors and cousins heard about how God had shown her mercy and they rejoiced with her.  I believe any birth is a miracle from God and should be celebrated by God's people.  I know that sometimes the circumstances of the child's conception may be terrible, but we as followers of Christ must be there to celebrate the birth and do all that we can for both the mother and child.  Verse fifty-nine states, And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.  After eight days, at the time of the circumcision of the baby, the people gathered together and named the child Zacharias, after his father.  I know there was always a celebration at this time, but didn't know that the people named the child.  Matthew Henry says there was no Biblical direction that said the child had to have the father's name.  It was normal to name the child at the time of circumcision though, since God had given Abram a new name when he was circumcised.  Verse sixty adds, And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.  Elisabeth spoke up and said that he would not be called Zacharias, but John.  This is what God had said his name would be, and Elisabeth was obeying God's direction. If God blesses us today, and we know what He expects of us once we receive that blessing, then we need to follow through on what we know He wants us to do.  Verse sixty-one continues, And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.  Those gathered with her argued with Elisabeth, ssying none of her kindred were named John.  We might find it hard to understand anyone other than a parent naming a child, but evidently there were others involved then.  Verse sixty-two states, And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.  Evidently,  Zacharias still was unable to talk, so the people communicated with him by using signs.  Imagine a man as old as Zacharias finally becoming a father and having been unable to talk about it, all because of his lack of faith.  We should never allow a lack of faith to keep us from being able to share the joy of the blessings God brings to us.  Verse sixty-three adds, And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.  Zacharias asked for a writing tablet and wrote that the baby's name would be John, and the people marvelled.  They did not know what God had told Zacharias to name the baby.  Sometimes, people may not understand what we do as Christians, but if we know that God has influenced us to do something, we need to do it, even if other people do not understand why we are doing it.  Verse sixty-four declares, And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.  After Zacharias did as God had told him to do, he was able to speak once again and he first praised God.  When God does something miraculous in our life, we need praise Him to all those around us.  Verse sixty-five adds, And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.  Those around Zacharias and Elizabeth became afraid when Zacharias could suddenly speak again, and news of what had happened spread abroad and throughout the hill country of Judea.  People today who do not understand what God is doing in a person's life still often talk about it if something miraculous has happened.  Verse sixty-six continues, And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.  The people wondered what manner of child John would be, because they said the hand of God was on him.  I believe the hand of God is on every child, and we as followers of Christ should help them to become what God wants them to be.

Luke 1:46

Luke 1:46 says, And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,  Mary accepted the news and said her soul magnified the Lord.   When we are called to do something for God, no matter how impossible it may seem, we need to accept God's calling and magnify Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Verse forty-seven adds, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  Like Mary, as Christians, our spirit needs to rejoice in God and the salvation that He has made available to us.  Verse forty-eight continues, For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  Mary said that though she was of low estate that because of what God was doing through her that all generations would call her blessed.  I believe when we do what God calls us to do, no matter how lowly we may be in the eyes of the world, that we will be blessed by God, and that is what really matters.  Verse forty-nine states, For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.  I believe here Mary was saying that she would be called blessed because of what God was doing through her.  She was not seeking glorification for herself, but for God, and so must we as followers of Christ.  Verse fifty adds, And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.  God's mercy has been on generation to generation because of the coming of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse fifty-one continues, He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  Mary said God had shown His strength and had scattered the imagination of the hearts of people.  Verse fifty-two says, He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.  Mary said that God put down those who believed themselves to be powerful and exalted those of low degree.  We cannot come to God believing that He must save us because of Who we are, but can only come as lowly sinners, accepting His gift of salvation.  Verse fifty-three adds, He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.  God does fill those who are spiritually hungry, and those who believe themselves to be rich and in no need of salvation will be sent away empty one day.   Material riches do not determine whether we are saved or not.  Veree forty-four continues, He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;  Mary said God had helped His servant Israel, and as long as they were His servants He did.  Their blessing by God was based on their obedience to their covenant relationship with Him. If we are to receive God's blessings today, we must be in a covenant relationship with Him through accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse fifty-five concludes, As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.  Mary said that God was fulfilling His promise to Abraham.  God will always fulfill His promises, no matter how long it may take.  Verse fifty-six states, And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.  Mary stayed with Elisabeth for three months before returning home.

Luke 1:39

Luke 1:39 says, And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;  After the angel told Mary about Elisabeth, she got up and went in haste to where Elisabeth lived.  There was no instant communication in those days, but Mary wanted to see if what the angel said was true.  We should always do our best to make sure that what people tell us, even if it is an angel unaware, is  the truth.  Verse forty adds, And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.  Mary went to Zacharias' house and met Elisabeth.  Since the angel had told her about Elisabeth, Mary went to see for herself if what the angel said was true.  As just discussed, we need to make sure that what people tell us is from God checks out with the facts and especially with what God's word tells us.  What the angel Gabriel told Mary was consistent with God's word in Isaiah.  Verse forty-one declares, And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:  When the baby, not the fetus, heard Mary's voice, he leaped in the womb.  As followers of Christ, we can never come to the conclusion that a baby in the womb is less than a human life.  Verse forty-two adds, And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.  Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, said that Mary was blessed among women and that the fruit of her womb would be blessed.  Mary was not blessed because of her own inability to sin, but because she was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus.  Verse forty-three continues, And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  Elisabeth then said Mary was to be the mother of her LORD, and asked Mary why she had come to see Elizabeth.  Verse forty-four states, For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.  Elisabeth did not say that as soon as the baby heard Mary's voice he moved, but that he leaped for joy.  You might ask how Elisabeth knew this, but I believe that the Holy Spirit let her know, just as He will let us know the truth today.  Verse forty-five adds, And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.  Elisabeth said Mery was blessed because she believed that the things the angel told her were going to come to pass.  We today are blessed as Christians when we believe the truth of God's word.

Luke 1:26

Luke 1:26 says, And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, The angel Gabriel was once again sent by God, this time to the city of Nazareth.  Angels go where God sends them, and so should we as followers of Christ.  Verse twenty-seven adds, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.  Gabriel was to go to a specific virgin, Mary, who was espoused to Joseph, of the house of David.  God chose Mary, just as He chooses each person today to come to Him for salvation and for the task that He has for them to do.  Verse twenty-eight continues, And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  Gabriel spoke to Mary, telling her she was highly favoured and that the LORD was with her.  He also said that she was blessed among women.  So far, Gabriel had not said why this was true.  Some people deify Mary, but she was just as human as any other woman.  Verse twenty-nine states, And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  Mary was troubled by Gabriel's greeting.  She wondered what it meant.  We are not told that she was troubled by the appearance of an angel, but only by what he said.  He may not have looked that much different than any man she hade met, since we are told we may often entertain angels unaware.  Verse thirty adds, And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  The angel Gabriel told Mary to not be afraid, because she had found favour with God.  As Christians, when we first encounter Jesus Christ, we likewise have no reason to fear.  Verse thirty-one declares, And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  If Mary was confused by the greeting of Gabriel, I am sure she was now becoming even more confused.  Gabriel told her she was going to have a baby son, and even told her what to name Him.  Since Mary was a vigin and still not married, this would have tended to raise a lot of questions and doubts.  When God calls us to do something that seems impossible today, we may be filled with the same questions and doubt, though we shouldn't be.  Verse thirty-two adds, He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  Mary was a simple young woman, and Gabriel told her that her Son was going to be called the Son of the Highest and given the throne of His forefather David.  I would imagine that by now her questions would be growing.   Verse thirty-three continues, And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  Gabriel continued by saying that her Son, Jesus, would reign over the house of Jacob forever, and that His kingdom would have no end.  Jesus' kingdom would be everlasting and without end.  This will never change.  Verse thirty-four says, Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  Mary asked how this was possible because she was still a virgin.  I am sure that this would be the first guestion asked by any woman in her position, if it were not written off as just crazy talk.  Verse thirty-five states, And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  The angel Gabriel told her that God was going to cause it to happen, and that her Son Jesus would be called the Son of God.  I am sure that by now Mary was really filled with questions, especially considering her status as an unmarried woman in that day.  God may at times call us to do things that seem impossible and maybe even dangerous to us in the eyes of the world, but we need to move ahead in faith.  Verse thirty-six adds, And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.  For proof we might say, Gabriel told Mary that her cousin Elisabeth who was old was now in the sixth month of her pregnancy.  Evidently  Mary did not yet know this.  Verse thirty-seven continues, For with God nothing shall be impossible.  We need to claim this promise today as followers of Christ.  With God, nothing shall be impossible.  Verse thirty-eight declares, And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.  Mary may have still had questions, but she turned herself over to God and said let what the angel had said to her happen.  Ultimately, this is all that we can do as Christians, and that is to heed God's call for us to do whatever He has for us to do.   We do not need to look to the worldly impossibility of it happen, but need to remember that with God, nothing is impossible.