*Luke 2:1-20
After Caesar Augustus decrees a census, Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem where Jesus is born in a manger and visited by shepherds.
- Decree of Caesar Augustus:
- The passage begins with a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the Roman world should be registered, requiring everyone to go to their own town for the census.
- Joseph and Mary’s Journey to Bethlehem:
- Joseph, being of the house and lineage of David, travels from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David, with Mary, who is pregnant and betrothed to him.
- The Birth of Jesus:
- While they are in Bethlehem, the time comes for Mary to give birth to her firstborn son.
- Due to the crowded conditions caused by the census, they find no room in the inn, so Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays Him in a manger, as there was no place for them in the inn.
- The Announcement to the Shepherds:
- Nearby, in the fields, shepherds are watching over their flocks by night.
- An angel of the Lord appears to them, and the glory of the Lord shines around them, causing great fear.
- The Angel’s Message:
- The angel reassures the shepherds, telling them not to be afraid, for he brings good news of great joy for all people.
- He announces the birth of a Savior, Christ the Lord, in the city of David, who is wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
- The Heavenly Host:
- Suddenly, a multitude of heavenly hosts join the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
- The Shepherds’ Response:
- The shepherds decide to go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened, and they find Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger, just as the angel had told them.
- The Shepherds’ Testimony:
- After seeing Jesus, the shepherds spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed.
- Mary’s Response:
- Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart, reflecting on the miraculous events surrounding the birth of her son.
Luke 2:1-20 reminds us that God’s greatest gifts often come in humble ways. Jesus, the Savior of the world, was born in a simple manger, and the good news was first shared with shepherds—ordinary people. This teaches us that God values everyone, no matter their status. It also reminds us to have humble and grateful hearts. Just as the shepherds hurried to see Jesus and shared the good news, we should seek Him and share His love with others.
Luke 2:1-20 (WEB)
2:1 Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.6 While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. 11 For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” 13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest,on earth peace, good will toward men.”15 When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. 17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.