1-3-11-Birth_of_Jesus

How would you feel in Joseph's place in verse 19?  In verses 20-21?  What would you say to family and friends?  To God?

What reason does Matthew give as to why Jesus was born (v. 21)?

Apart from fulfilling prophecy, why was Jesus' virgin birth necessary?

How have you experienced Jesus as "Immanuel" in your life lately?

What do you learn about faith from Joseph?

Jesus is Born in Bethlehem

Read Luke 2:1-7

Luke is the only Gospel writer who related the events he recorded to world history.  His account was addressed to a predominantly Greek audience that would have been interested in and familiar with the political situation.  Palestine was under the rule of the Roman emperor, was in charge.  The Roman rulers, considered to be like gods, stood in contrast to the tiny baby in a manger who was truly God in the flesh.

A Roman census (registration) was taken to aid military conscription or tax collection.  The Jews didn't have to serve in the Roman army, but they could not avoid paying taxes.  Augustus's decree went out in God's perfect timing and according to God's perfect timing and according to God's perfect plan to bring His Son into the world.

The government forced Joseph to make a long trip just to pay his taxes.  His fiancée, who had to go with him, was going to have a baby any moment.  But when they arrived in Bethlehem, they couldn't even find a place to stay.  When we do God's will, we are not guaranteed a comfortable life.  But we are promised that everything, even our discomfort, has meaning in God's plan.

God controls all history.  By the decree of Augustus, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for his birth (Micah 5:2), even though his parents did not live there.

Joseph and Mary were both descendents of David.  The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that the Messiah would be born in David's royal line (see for example, (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 33:15; Ezekiel 37:24; Hosea 3:5).

Bands of cloth were used to keep a baby warm and give it a sense of security.  These cloths were believed to protect its internal organs.  The custom of wrapping infants this way is still practiced in many Mideastern countries.

The mention of the manger is the basis for the traditional belief that Jesus was born in a stable.  Stables were often caves with feeding troughs (managers) carved into the rock walls.  Despite popular Christmas card pictures, the surroundings were dark and dirty.  This was not the atmosphere the Jews expected as the birth place of the Messiah king.  They thought their promised Messiah would be born in royal surroundings.  We should not limited God by our expectations.  He is at work wherever He is needed in our sin-darkened and dirty world.

Although our first picture of Jesus is a baby in a manger, it must not be our last.  The Christ-child in the manger has been made into a beautiful Christmas scene, but we cannot leave him there.  This tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for us ascended to heaven, and will come back to this earth as king of kings. Christ will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about him.  Do you still picture Jesus as a baby in a manger-or is be your Lord?  Make sure you don't underestimate Jesus.  Let him grow up in your life.

In light of the promises of 1:30-35, how might Mary feel as she awaits delivery in a stable?  How does this tie in to God's plan (Mic. 5:2)?

What does this story say about God's control of Political affairs and "closed doors"?

How did God take your "hopeless situation" and use it for good?  What does that teach you?

What impresses you about Joseph and Mary in this account?

Why do you suppose the Savior of the world was born in an obscure village and laid in a manger?

Why do you think God chose to announce the birth of His Son to shepherds?

Do you think Mary and Joseph understood the cosmic significance of the child they had just brought into the world?

The Herod Family

The man who was King of Palestine when Jesus was born was commonly called Herod the Great.  he wasn't Roman.  He was a national governor appointed by the Romans.  Herod, like the tax-collectors, was someone who sympathized with Roman imperialism.  He stood to make personal gain from the political situation.  Therefore, he was just another traitor to his people like the tax-collectors.

Because of his success in stopping rebellions and putting down anti-Roman uprisings, Herod the Great was given a reward.  The Romans gave him authority over all five Jewish Provinces.

However, although Herod the Great wasn't Roman, neither was he purely Jewish.  He was a descendant of Abraham, but he wasn't of David's family.

Because he was hated by the Jews as an Intruder, Herod the Great did everything possible to "buy" popularity.  He built them a magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, made of marble and gold.

How many years did it take to construct this marvelous temple?  Read John 2:20.

Herod didn't only build the temple in Jerusalem for the Jews to worship the one true God.  He built another temple for the Samaritans.  He even built temples for the pagan gods (the Roman idols).  Because of this, the Jews were not fooled by Herod, they were well aware of the true motives for his generosity.

The hands of Herod the Great dripped with the blood of many murders.  He even killed people in his own family, including his wife and several of his sons.  His victims were strangled, hanged, burned, knifed and tortured.  There was a saying in those times which went: "Better to be a pig than a son of Herod."

What terrible act did Herod the Great commit during Jesus' infancy?  Read Matthew 2:16.

When Herod the Great died, his five provinces were divided between several of his sons: Archelaus, the Tetrarch, Philip.

The Tetrarch governed Galilee and Perea.  Archelaus governed Judea and Samaria.  Philip governed Iturea.

Jesus Infancy

Only two of the Gospels Matthew and Luke tell the infancy of Christ.  Read Luke 2:15-16, what does it cover?

Read Matthew 2:1, 10 and 11, what does it cover?

Luke tells us that all the countries of the world, including Palestine, were subjected to a Census, or an official count and survey of population.  Who decreed this Census of the whole Roman world, including Palestine?

What was the name of the Caesar in Rome who decreed this census for all the countries in his empire?  Read Luke 2:11.

Each citizen, according to the law of the census had to be in the city of his ancestors to fill in the census.  Read Luke 2:4.

Because a great number of people had come to the small town of Bethlehem for the census, Mary and Joseph couldn't find a place to stay.  For this reason Christ was born in a stable.  This same night the shepherds come to see the child in the manger.  The shepherds were simple Jewish people who looked after sheep.

The law of Moses required that Jewish women not leave their house for 33 days of purification after the birth of a child.  After those 33 days of purification where did Jesus family have to go, according to Luke 2:22?

(Matthew 2:13) Immediately after the visit of the wise men, an angel appeared to Joseph and told him to take his family and run to .

It is obvious, then, that the two events given above took place between the visit of the wise men to Bethlehem.  We can see that the visit of the wise men must have taken place at least a month later.

Read Luke 2:8-20

God continued to reveal his Son, but not to those we might expect.  Luke records that Jesus birth was announced to Shepherds in the fields.  These may have been the shepherds who supplied the lambs for the temple sacrifices that were performed for the forgiveness of sin.  Here the angels invited these shepherds to greet the Lamb of God (John 1:36), who would take away the sins of the whole world forever.

What a birth announcement!  The shepherds were terrified, but their fear turned to joy as the angels announced the Messiahs birth.  First the shepherds ran to see the baby; then they spread the word.  Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior.  Do you look forward to meeting him in prayer and in his Word each day?  Have you discovered a Lord so wonderful that you can't help sharing your joy with your friends?

The greatest event in history had just happened!  The Messiah had been born.  For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to humble shepherds.  The good news about Jesus is that He comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary.  He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him.  Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life.  Don't think you need extraordinary qualifications-he accepts you as you are.

Some of the Jews were waiting for a savior to deliver them from Roman rule, others hoped the Christ (Messiah) would deliver them from physical ailments.  But Jesus, while healing their illness and establishing a spiritual kingdom, delivered them from sin.  His work is more far-reaching than anyone could imagine.  Christ paid the price for sin and opened the way to peace with God.  He offers us more than temporary political or physical changes-he offers us new hearts that will last for eternity.

The story of Jesus' birth resounds with music that has inspired composers for 2,000 years.  The angel's song is an all-time favorite.  Often called the Gloria after its first word in the Latin translation, it is the basis of modern choral works, traditional Christmas carols, and ancient liturgical chants.

How does the shepherds experience with the angels compare to that of Zechariah (1:8-9) and Mary (1:26-27).

Of all the people the angels could have visited, why did God send them to the shepherds?  How does that relate to Mary's song (1:46-55)?

How might Mary ponder the events of Luke 1-2 (really her story)?

God appeared to Zechariah, Mary, and the shepherds when they were just doing their jobs, being themselves.  What does that imply about what it means to be "spiritual?"  How has God spoken to you in the ordinary flow of life?

Other people didn't hear the angels.  Why?  How can you be open to God's serendipity in your life?

Jesus is presented in the temple

Read Luke 2:21-40

How has Christ brought "light" to your life?  How is he still the cause of "the falling and rising" of people throughout the world?

How did your parents dedicate you to the Lord, if at all?  How do you feel about the fact that you were or weren't dedicated?  How did your parents help you mature spiritually?

Jewish families went through several ceremonies soon after a baby's birth: (1) Circumcision.  Every boy was circumcised and named on the eight day after birth (Leviticus 12:3; Luke 1:59, 60).  Circumcision symbolized the Jews separation from Gentiles and their unique relationship with God.  (2) Redemption of the first born.  A first born son was presented to God one month after birth (Exodus 13:2, 11-16; Numbers 18:15, 16).  The ceremony included buying back-"redeeming"-the child from God through an offering.  Thus the parents acknowledged that the child belonged to God, who done has the power to give life.  (3). Purification of the mothers.  For 40 days after the birth of a son and 80 days after the birth of a daughter, the mother was ceremonially unclean and could not enter the temple.  At the end of her time of separation, the parents were to bring a lamb for a burnt offering and a dove or pigeon for a sin offering.  The priest would sacrifice these animals and declare her to be clean.  If a lamb was too expensive, the parents could bring a second dove or pigeon instead.  This is what Mary and Joseph did.

Jesus was God's Son, but his family carried out these ceremonies according to God's law.  Jesus was not born above the law instead he fulfilled it perfectly.

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be consecrated to God, they met an old man who told them what their child would become. Simeon could die in peace because he had seen the Messiah.

The Jews were well acquainted with the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah's blessings to their nation.  They did not always give equal attention to the prophecies saying that he would bring salvation to the entire world, not just the Jews (e.g. Isaiah 49.6).  Many thought that Christ had come to save only his own people.  Luke made sure his Greek audience understood that Christ had come to save all who believe, Gentiles as well as Jews.

Joseph and Mary "marveled" (were amazed) for three reasons: Simeon said that Jesus was a gift from God; Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah; and Simeon said Jesus would be a light to the entire world.  This was at least the second time that Mary had been greeted with a prophecy about her son, the first time was when Elizabeth welcomed her as the mother of her Lord (1:42-45).

Simeon prophesized that Jesus would have a paradoxical effect on Israel.  Some would fall because of him (see Isaiah 8:14, 15), while others would rise (see Malachi 4:2).  With Jesus there would be no neutral ground: people would either joyfully accept him or totally reject him.  As Jesus' mother Mary would be grieved by the widespread rejection be would face.  This is the first note of sorrow in Luke's Gospel.

Although Simeon and Anna were very old, they had never lost their hope that they would see the Messiah.  Led by the Holy Spirit, they were among the first to bear witness to Jesus.  In the Jewish culture, elders (were respected, so because of Simeon's and Anna's age, their prophecies carried extra weight.  Our society, however, values youthfulness over wisdom, and potential contributions by the elderly are often ignored.  As Christians, we should reverse those values wherever we can.  Encourage older people to share their wisdom and experience.  Listen carefully when they speak.  Offer them your friendships and help them find ways to continue to serve God.

Anna was called a prophetess, indicating that she was unusually close to God.  Prophetess, indicating that she was unusually close to God.  Prophets did not necessarily predict the future.  Their main role was to speak for God, proclaiming his truth.

Did Mary and Joseph return immediately to Nazareth, or did they remain in Bethlehem for a time (as implied in Matthew 2)?  Apparently there is a gap of several years between verses 38 and 39 - ample time for them to find a place to live in Bethlehem, flee to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath, and return to Nazareth when it was safe to do so.

Jesus was filled with wisdom which is not surprising since he stayed in close contact with his heavenly Father, James 1:5 says God gives wisdom generously to all who ask.  Like Jesus we can grow in wisdom by walking with God.

How open are you to God's will for your life  at the moment?

What would be the crowning joy for you in your old age?

Do you think God has a plan and purpose for your life?

Do you think the parents of Jesus understood what was going to happen to their son?

Put yourself in Joseph and Mary's shoes.  How would you have felt if two old people came to you and gave startling predictions about your son.?

In Simeons prophecy about the child, what was he predicting?

When has God brought along a "Simeon" and "Anna" to confirm something in your life?  How did this make you feel?

What Mosaic laws are being fulfilled by this presentation (see Lev. 12:1-8; Ex. 13:2, 12, 13; Num. 18:15-16)?  How do these events parallel Jesus' mission?  What does his name mean?

What does this temple ceremony reveal about the parents of Jesus:  They were poor?  Religious?  Proud?  Dedicated?  Fearful of their salvation?

In Simeon's two prophecies (vv. 29-32, 34-35), what was he predicting about the work of Jesus?  The fate of the nations?  The pain of his parents?

Know anyone like dear old saintly Anna?  How does she complement Simeon's prophecy?

What impact would these startling predictions by Simeon and Anna have on all who were listening that day?  Of the parents of Jesus as they returned home (vv. 33, 39)?  On Jesus as he was growing up (v.40)?

In  summary what did you learn about Mary and Joseph in this passage?  About Jesus?  About God?

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