Christmas (Luke 2:1-20)

Pray....

Luke 2:1-20 is the reading for today

Before I read the text I want to give you the backdrop of what is happening in Israel

Israel has returned from exile and have built the 2nd temple because the first temple was destroyed in 586 B.C. by the Babylonian army.

Though Israel has returned and the 2nd temple has been build all is not well

In fact many scholars agree that though Israel has returned from exile many believe they are still in captivity

There are two major issues in why Israel believes they are still in captivity

The first issue is that the effects of exile still linger in that instead of living under the reign of God,

the Jews find themselves living under the power of one pagan kingdom after another. (Wright 88)

The second major issue is that though the 2nd Temple has been build the presence of God has not yet returned

When the first temple was build one reads in both 2 Chronicles 5 and 1 Kings 8 that the presence entered the temple when they began to worship to the Lord.

2 Chronicles 5:14 and 1 Kings 8:11 describe the the presence filled the temple with such intensity that when they began to sing and play their instruments that that all 120 plus priest could not stand to minister because the glory of the Lord filled the temple

Nothing even close has happened in the second temple so the people long to see the day when the Lord’s presence is felt in Israel

It is important to understand that the epicenter of Israel’s life in the Old Testament was the presence and dwelling of the Lord among his people (Ware 90)

(Find More Scripture and sources)

So it is clear that Israel has made their way back back in their homeland but they are still under the rule of a pagan empire and more importantly they not yet seen the presence of the Lord return

With all this in mind now let us read...

Luke 2:1–20 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 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.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.