Shall we pray?
Luke 2:1-20
Historic Background: Caesar Augustus was emperor from 30 BC- 14 AD. Quirinius was governor of Syria from 10-7 BC and then 6-9 AD. Herod was king but then died in spring of 4 BC- connecting all this evidence puts Jesus’ birth year around 5 BC.
}Prophecy fulfilled: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2 ESV)
}Notice Scripture says nothing about what time of year Jesus’ birth takes place. Traditionally sheep were kept in open fields between March & December. Roman Catholic tradition dates to December 25th, Eastern church to January 6th.
}Prophecy fulfilled: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2 ESV)
}Notice Scripture says nothing about what time of year Jesus’ birth takes place. Traditionally sheep were kept in open fields between March & December. Roman Catholic tradition dates to December 25th, Eastern church to January 6th.
That night…
}The night Jesus is born it is the shepherds who hear of Jesus’ birth first.
}The shepherds are given some important info: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12 ESV) They verify the Angel’s message in verse 20: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
}The shepherds are given some important info: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12 ESV) They verify the Angel’s message in verse 20: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
Shepherds
}Shepherding was considered a lowly occupation- shepherds were considered untrustworthy and according to Old Testament Law their work made them unclean and unable to attend Temple worship.
}Yet, in the Bible shepherding symbolizes the care and nurture that the Almighty gives to his people. King David started out as a shepherd; in Isaiah we are told that Almighty God will “tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” (40:11 ESV)
}Think of the shepherds as being representative of all the ordinary people in the world.
}Yet, in the Bible shepherding symbolizes the care and nurture that the Almighty gives to his people. King David started out as a shepherd; in Isaiah we are told that Almighty God will “tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” (40:11 ESV)
}Think of the shepherds as being representative of all the ordinary people in the world.
Matthew 2:1-12
Who are these wise guys, anyway?
}Most likely the Magi are astrologers, based on the use of the word Magoi in the rest of the Bible. (notice also that they were studying the skies when they saw the star)
}King Herod the Liar; in verse 3 he is worried that this new born king is going to take his throne but yet in verse 8 he claims he wants to worship the baby king.
}Notice that the star stays illuminated for the entire journey until Jesus is found.
}King Herod the Liar; in verse 3 he is worried that this new born king is going to take his throne but yet in verse 8 he claims he wants to worship the baby king.
}Notice that the star stays illuminated for the entire journey until Jesus is found.
Luke 2:21-40
Jewish roots
}Genesis 17:12 tells us that Jewish males are to be circumcised at 8 days of age.
}Leviticus 12:1-5 gives guidelines of how long a Jewish woman remains ceremonially unclean after giving birth (33 days for a son and 64 days for a daughter)
}Numbers 18:15 says that the first born son is to be consecrated in the Temple.
}In verses 25-35 we meet Simeon who tells us that Mary will go through emotional suffering because of Jesus’ physical suffering
}In verses 36-38 we meet the widow Anna, who began to speak to the people who were there about Jesus being the promised Messiah
}Leviticus 12:1-5 gives guidelines of how long a Jewish woman remains ceremonially unclean after giving birth (33 days for a son and 64 days for a daughter)
}Numbers 18:15 says that the first born son is to be consecrated in the Temple.
}In verses 25-35 we meet Simeon who tells us that Mary will go through emotional suffering because of Jesus’ physical suffering
}In verses 36-38 we meet the widow Anna, who began to speak to the people who were there about Jesus being the promised Messiah