Day Four – Luke 2:1-21

Today’s scripture is Luke 2:1-21; and is broken into two sections. 

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

After all Joseph and Mary experienced, they finally come face to face with their child. Yet they do so in the most unlikely place and set of circumstances. 

Just as there was no room in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus, I wonder where you feel an absence of room in your life. Where do you feel left out, abandoned, or forgotten. Perhaps that is the very place where Christ wants to meet you.

Consider that place and meet with Christ now.

Scripture continues…
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

If you’ve been around church for some time, you're probably familiar with this passage.  Have you ever noticed the difference in how the shepherds respond to seeing the glory of God, and how Mary responds?  The distinction is highlighted by Luke with the word ‘but’. Read again:

When they had seen him, [the shepherds] spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. BUT Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 

Did you notice how Mary pondered these things in her heart? To ‘ponder’ is to reflect; not necessarily to understand or to grasp, but to turn ideas or truths or experiences over and over in our minds and consider them.  

Sometimes, when we encounter glorious things of God, we are ready to spread and proclaim them- as the shepherds did. And sometimes, when we encounter glorious things of God, we need some space and time to treasure them in our hearts, to consider them, to ponder them.  

Is there an experience you have with God that you can’t keep from proclaiming to others? 
Is there something you have with God that you need to ponder in your heart? 

As you hold that now, consider how to could either prepare to share this good news with others or how you can ponder and reflect upon something throughout your day.