Luke 2

Since this is Christmas week, I wanted to look at Luke 2. Our pastor spoke on it on Sunday and their were some things I didn't know about the Christmas Story.

Bethlehem: the city where David was born, not the City of David. Both Joseph and Mary were descendants of David, so they needed to return there for the census. It was a difficult journey through 70 miles of mountainous terrain.

The manger: "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and she wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger." v.7 The stable is mentioned no where in scripture and it is only from the mention of a manger that we derive He was born in a stable. It could have also been a cave where animals were protected.

Savior: "...for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord." v.11 This is one of only two places in the gospels where Christ is referred to as Savior.

Prophecy: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name, 'Immanuel." Is 7:14 Immanuel: God with us. =)

Turtle Doves: ...On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me... "...and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, ' A pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons.' v. 24 At the dedication of a child in the temple they needed to offer a sacrifice of a lamb or doves/pigeons. Mary's offering shows that she and Joseph were poor. Get this, a woman who bore a son was ceremonially unclean for 40 days...if she bore a daughter it was twice that! What's up with that??

Simeon: I didn't believe I hadn't heard this before Sunday. LOL He was in the temple at the dedication of the Child. Get this, "And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ." Simeon took the Baby into his arms and blessed God and said, "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light or revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people of Israel." v. 26, 29-32

Wow!
Blessed Christmas!