Session 4 Luke 2:1-15
As we think about the Christmas story,
it’s easy to believe that angels appeared and that prophecies were fulfilled.
In some ways, it becomes part of our holiday routine
to acknowledge these incredible events with our words.
But it becomes much tougher to see how they affect our lives the other 364 days of the year.
As we look through this familiar passage today,
ask God to help you see how He wants this wonderful story to transform you
and to make you more like the Son that He sent to earth as Savior.
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole empire should be registered.
2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee,
to Judea, to the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family line of David,
5 to be registered along with Mary,
who was engaged to him and was pregnant.6 While they were there,
the time came for her to give birth.
7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son,
and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger,
because there was no guest room available for them.
8 In the same region,
shepherds were staying out in the fields
and keeping watch at night over their flock.9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.10 But the angel said to them,
“Don’t be afraid, for look,
I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you,
who is the Messiah, the Lord.12 This will be the sign for you:
You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
Once they got over the shock of the angel’s appearance,
the shepherds were able to process the angel’s announcement.
But, as it turned out, they had one more angelic surprise waiting for them.
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people he favors!15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us.”
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LUKE 2:1-15
MEMORY VERSE: LUKE 2:11
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is the oldest church in the world. Justin Martyr, an early church father, wrote in about AD 160 that Christians were visiting the site to honor where Jesus was born. In 325, Emperor Constantine ordered a church be built over the site. After the original structure was destroyed by fire, Emperor Justinian constructed a larger church, which is still in use today. Steps near the altar lead down to the spot Christians have visited for centuries.
(In PSG, p. 37)
Using eyewitness accounts, Luke emphasized how people glorified God for sending His Son to be our Savior. Writing to an esteemed person known as Theophilus, Luke recorded a faithful testimony so Theophilus might know Jesus and worship Him (Luke 1:1-4).
Two angelic pronouncements heralded the birth of Jesus. First, God sent Gabriel to tell Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, would have a child whom they should name John (1:5-25). Although they were past the normal childbearing age, Gabriel promised they would parent the forerunner of the Messiah. Despite Zechariah’s initial doubt, God fulfilled His word.
Gabriel’s second appearance surprised Elizabeth’s cousin, a virgin named Mary (1:26-38). The heavenly messenger revealed she would give birth to the Messiah. Engaged to Joseph, but having never had intimate relations, Mary did not understand how this could happen. She underestimated the supernatural power of the Creator. Submitting herself to the Lord’s will, Mary experienced the miraculous conception of the Son of God.
When Mary visited Elizabeth, the unborn John leapt in his mother’s womb at the presence of Christ within Mary. In response, Mary praised God in a song known as the Magnificat (1:46-55). When John was born, his father also raised his voice in praise (1:56-79).
God overcame the natural limitations of human biology to achieve His eternal plan for a sinless Savior. He also maneuvered a global empire to place Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for Jesus’s birth. Centuries earlier, prophets promised the Messiah would be born in this small town near Jerusalem. God used the Roman census to move Joseph and Mary from Galilee to Bethlehem, the town of their ancestor David (2:1-7).
A third pronouncement involved shepherds who faithfully watched flocks outside Bethlehem (2:8-20). The angelic messenger was suddenly accompanied by a host of heavenly beings who praised God. After rushing to Bethlehem and finding the Child, the shepherds glorified God.
When Mary and Joseph later took the child to the temple for His dedication, they encountered two elderly saints (2:21-40). Anna and Simeon joined the growing body of witnesses who praised God for the Messiah. As we accept their testimony about Jesus, our hearts should also rise in worship because God loved us and sent His Son for us.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
More than 700 years before Jesus’s birth, the prophet Micah foretold that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the Messiah (Mic. 5:2). How could that happen since Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth of Galilee, many miles to the north? God set the stage for an empire-moving event, an event that would fulfill Micah’s words and affirm God’s rule over nations.
In those days referred to the general time following the birth of John the Baptist. Mary had been pregnant for about six months when John was born. A few months later, she delivered her child shortly after traveling some ninety miles over rough terrain to Bethlehem.
Mary and Joseph’s journey was precipitated by a decree from Caesar Augustus. This name incorporated two titles. His proper name was Gaius Octavius, the adopted son of Julius Caesar. While Caesar was the primary title of the emperor, the Roman senate made him Augustus around AD 27. This honorific meant “revered” and likely related to emperor worship.
Augustus ordered the whole empire, which included much of the known world, to be registered. Corresponding to a formal census, this process was necessary for proper taxation, particularly in the territories outside Rome.
Luke called this event a first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the Great, who died before the period some historians attribute to Quirinius. Some commentators contend the mention of Quirinius involved an earlier period near the end of Herod’s lifetime. Archaeological evidence indicates Quirinius served in different capacities over time, including being legate in Syria twice. Given Luke’s attention to an orderly and factual narrative, we can safely trust his record as more contemporaneous to the period.
No one could resist an imperial command. Everyone went to be registered. Whether rich or poor, politically powerful or menial, the population filled the roads as each person traveled to his own town.
The phrase his own town referred to family ancestry. Genealogical records valued historical origin. Proper identification required individuals to register in the locale where their forefathers lived. Roman law did not require people to go to the town of their birth to be counted. Herod the Great, however, may have made this a requirement for the Jews.
4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was en-gaged to him and was pregnant.
The registration led a poor Jewish family to leave Galilee and travel to their ancestral home of Bethlehem. Although they traveled southward from Nazareth, the text mentions Joseph also went up because they traveled from the lower elevation of Galilee to the mountainous region of Judea.
Although the most prominent site in Judea was Jerusalem, this event focused on Bethlehem. The city’s name means “house of bread.” It was known as the city of David because it was the boyhood home of Israel’s most famous king. Joseph’s family line extended back to this royal house. Matthew traced Jesus’s personal history back to Abraham, while Luke continued through Adam to God. Some commentators suggest differences in the two records can be attributed to whether one works backward through Joseph or Mary. The important point is Joseph was descended from David, so he had to go to Bethlehem for the Roman registration.
Joseph took Mary with him. Although women were generally not required to be present for the census, Joseph likely wanted her to be with him since she was pregnant.
The phrase was engaged does not render the full import of their relationship. In Jewish custom, a couple initiated an espousal and for a year they were considered to be husband and wife but without conjugal relations. The fact that Matthew referred to Joseph as Mary’s husband and that he would have to divorce Mary demonstrates the seriousness of the relationship (Matt. 1:19).
(In PSG, p. 40)
6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Mary must have been far along in her pregnancy because the time came for her to give birth while they were in Bethlehem. The exact day and time was not important to Luke’s record. What mattered was fulfillment of the prophecy. Alone except for her husband and perhaps a midwife, Mary gave birth and brought her firstborn son into the world.
Firstborn son suggests several important truths. First, as firstborn, Jesus had privileges and responsibilities within the family. A second implication is that Mary had other children after Jesus. Joseph refrained from intimacy with Mary until Jesus was born (Matt. 1:25), but he and Mary later enjoyed normal marital relations and had children together (Mark 6:3).
Following Jewish custom, Mary wrapped the child tightly in cloth. This cloth referred to a single piece of cloth that fit firmly around the infant to restrict movement and provide warmth. Without a proper place to lay the child, Mary placed him in a manger. This feeding trough met an immediate need because there was no guest room available for them.
The census filled Bethlehem with travelers. Many strangers arrived earlier and secured available lodgings. At least the proprietor made such arrangements as he could instead of leaving the young family out in the street.
8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.
Faithfulness receives more regard than fame in God’s economy. When Jesus was born, He was the King of Israel, but angels did not appear to political leaders in Jerusalem. He was King of the Jews, but no heavenly host sang His praises before the Sanhedrin. Instead, God chose to share this extraordinary good news with a group
of shepherds.
Luke identified several characteristics of these humble men. First, they were in the same region. Pastures for raising sheep are scattered around Bethlehem, and the Migdal Eder, which is translated “tower of the flock,” was located just outside Bethlehem (see Gen. 35:16-21). Some commentators also suggest these animals were being raised as sacrifices for the temple in nearby Jerusalem. If so, the scene foreshadowed the sacrifice of “the Lamb of God” who died for the world’s sins (John 1:29).
Second, the shepherds worked out in the fields. One reason priests and other leaders despised shepherds was their close association with the animals. Having the sheep remain in the pastures overnight indicated a season with mild temperatures.
A third aspect of this short description indicates faithfulness. Despite shepherds’ reputations for low morals and even thievery, these men were keeping watch at night. Predators were common dangers; without human guards who maintained vigilance, straying sheep could easily be attacked. (See 1 Sam. 17:34-36.) To stay on one’s post meant risking life and limb.
9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Without warning, an angel of the Lord stood before them. The lack of a definite article in Greek suggests this was an important messenger but not the unique angel in passages like Genesis 16:7; 22:11; and Exodus 3:2. Nor was the angel named, like Gabriel in Luke 1:19. Absence of special identification places the focus on the message rather than the messenger.
The angel simply stood before them, apparently on their level. Certainly, this supernatural being commanded their attention as the glory of the Lord shone around them. The glory of God was visible and awe-inspiring. Moses described it as a “consuming fire” (Ex. 24:17), while Isaiah portrayed it as a brightness and light (Isa. 60:1-3). The term glory denotes remarkable splendor, whether referring to humans or nature (Matt. 6:29). As a result, the shepherds were terrified. Coming from the same root as our English “phobia,” terrified suggests extreme emotional fear. The shepherds’ response was natural given what they were witnessing.
10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
To calm the shepherds’ fears, the angel spoke words of peace to them. Instead of being afraid, they were encouraged to feel great joy because the heavenly messenger came to proclaim good news. A single verb incorporates the entire phrase and employs the same word from which we get “evangelism” and “gospel.”
The good news would apply to all people. Some commentators argue that Luke was thinking primarily of Israelites. In the greater sense, however, God’s good news was not for the shepherds alone. Nor was it solely for Jews. John described how the gospel touches every nation and tribe (Rev. 14:6). In the end of days, the heavenly gathering will include the redeemed from every people group as they offer praise for the Lamb of God in every language (Rev. 7:9-10).
Unlike prophetic voices that foretold the distant future, the angel emphasized that this was happening today. He also pointed to nearby Bethlehem, the city of David. Most importantly, the event involved a special child: the Savior. Jesus was so named because He would save people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). The word translated Savior comes from a root word for “deliverer” and signifies being made whole.
This child was the Messiah, God’s promised Anointed One. As the Christ, Jesus was also Lord, the master with the right of ownership. Jesus holds the privileges of ownership because He created us and because He redeemed us from the power and penalty of sin.
Of special note, He was born for you. Perhaps this statement meant more to the shepherds than any other. No one gave much notice to this rag-tag bunch of sheep herders unless it was negative. But the angel’s message gave them hope. Jesus had come to be their Savior, their Messiah, and their Lord. It was personal for them, just as it is personal for us.
12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
With so many pilgrims in Bethlehem, identifying a specific child could prove difficult The angel resolved that problem by offering a sign. In this context, sign does not mean “miracle.” The angel used it to mean a token or a way of knowing something.
As noted above, it would not be strange to find a newborn wrapped tightly in cloth. This baby, however, would not be in a cradle. He would be lying in a manger. Shepherds knew about mangers and feeding troughs. To envision the Messiah in this condition was beyond their imagination and certainly something that would help them identify the baby.
Jesus did not come merely to save a particular ethnic group. Nor does He save every person in the world, whether they demonstrate faith and repentance or not. Instead, Jesus is the Savior to all who believe in Him. As Christ followers, we express faith in Jesus and His offer of salvation by repenting of our sins (Acts 3:19), placing our faith in Him as God’s Son who died for us and rose again (John 20:31; Acts 16:31), and receiving Him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12). As the angel emphasized, the story of Christmas is a story of hope for the whole world.
(In PSG, p. 43)
13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!
As if the presence of the angel was not enough to overwhelm the shepherds, suddenly they experienced a multitude of the heavenly host. The term host literally means “army.” Scripture often refers to God as the Lord of Hosts, meaning that He is the master of heavenly armies. The appearance of so many awe-inspiring beings must have terrified the shepherds again.
Angels are created beings who serve God in many ways. Sometimes, they are messengers. At times, they are warriors. In this instance, they were praising God. Typically, readers think of them as an angelic choir, but the word praising implies spoken praise rather than singing. In fact, this entire statement could be seen as a chant about the wonder of God.
The angels ascribed Glory to God, who alone is worthy of honor and resides in the highest heaven. The word heaven is not present in the original language, but it is understood in light of the adjective highest. Since God is omnipresent, the term refers to His supremacy more than any location.
Jesus’s birth not only brought great glory to the Father, but also promised peace on earth. This phrase was not all-inclusive and did not mean all wars and conflicts would end. (See Matt. 10:34-36.) The angels specified people he favors. Some translations render this “good will to men” (KJV), “those with whom he is pleased” (ESV), or “on who his favor rests” (NIV).The point is that Jesus’s birth offers peace to those who by faith and salvation experience the favor of God’s grace.
15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Having delivered the message, the heavenly host returned to heaven as suddenly as they had appeared. Instead of dwelling on the amazing event, the shepherds agreed to investigate what has happened in Bethlehem. They recognized that the Lord had made known this wondrous news to them, so they determined to go straight to the scene.
Jesus offers a different kind of peace than what is found in the world (John 14:27). God’s peace provides an inner rest regardless of circumstances. It is a contentment based on faith in God’s Son, Jesus.
(In PSG, p. 44)
God the Son
In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. (See Luke 1:35; John 1:14.)
Read a Bible dictionary article to gain insight.
Read an article about angels in a Bible dictionary. Note the different nature and functions identified. Review Bible passages included in the article, especially passages that point to the Angel of the Lord. What relationship do angels have to Christ? What powers and limits exist for angels? How does the appearance of angels in Luke illustrate the purpose, powers, and limits?