The Feel, Look, Sound, and Passion of Heavenly Worship – Luke 2:13-14
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” I have been to some great concerts in my day. I sang in an all–a cappella choir in college and we sang classical music with eight-part harmonies. There were over 100 people in our choir and the chords were pretty amazing. I once…
Shepherds: Why They Are a Big Deal to God – Luke 2:8-12
(emphasis mine)And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, KEEPING WATCH over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you GOOD NEWS that will cause GREAT JOY for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he…
Easing Above the Shame and Laboring for Love – Luke 2:1-5
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. 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. He went there to register…
The Wilderness and the Times of Testing – Luke 1:80
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. –Parallel verses:Matthew 4:1-4Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not…
A Calling for the Son and the Parents – Luke 1:76-79
[Zechariah speaking, emphasis mine]And you, my child, will be called a PROPHET OF THE MOST HIGH; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to…
Coming in an Unexpected Way – Luke 1:67-75
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors and…
From Unbelief to Joy Restored – Luke 1:56-66
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is…
Jesus Loves the Little Children… – Matthew 18:1-6, 10
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one…
Recounting God’s Goodness – Luke 1:50-55
[Mary the mother of Jesus speaking]“His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham…