Story of Jesus, December 2nd

Luke Chapter 2

In those days, a decree went out from the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. All returned to their ancestral towns to register for the census. Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea. Joseph and his betrothed Mary traveled the three day journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

While they were there, it came time for Mary to give birth. 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.

That night there were shepherds out in the field, guarding their flocks of sheep. Just then, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them.

They were filled with fear, but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to the people. The Savior, yes the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the City of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast heavenly host of others, the armies of heaven, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom
God is pleased.”

Luke 2:14

When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger. After seeing the child, they told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them. All who heard the shepherd’s story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

After eight days, the baby was circumcised and named Jesus, the name given to him by the angel even before he was conceived. Then it was time for their purification according to the Law of Moses after the birth of a child. The Law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” His parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

At that time, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon who was righteous and devout. He was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day, the Spirit led him to the temple.

When Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the Law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Lord, now you are letting your servant
depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
that you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory to your people Israel.”

-Luke 2:29-32

His father and mother marveled at what was said about him and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “This child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

There was also a prophetess named Anna there in the Temple. She was very old and after only seven years of marriage her husband died. She had lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along as Simeon was talking to Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over and they were returning home to Nazareth, they noticed Jesus was not with them. He had stayed behind in Jerusalem.

His parents didn’t notice at first because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there.

Three days later they finally found him in the temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him they were astonished. They didn’t know what to think. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know I must be in my father’s house?” But, they didn’t understand what that meant.

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Start at the beginning: Story of Jesus, December 1st