By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read Luke 2:1-40

The Rev. Ron Purkey

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:12-14)

The Advent (Luke 2:1-7). That Jesus would be born in Bethlehem was ordained by God long before Caesar Augustus made his decree (Micah 5:2; Acts 15:18). The difficult three-day journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem may have taken longer because of Mary’s condition.

Some preachers and some people who present Christmas pageants like to condemn the innkeeper because he did not give Mary a decent place to give birth to her baby, but the Bible is silent about the matter.

The “inn” was probably a typical Eastern “caravansary,” a two-story structure (the lower level was for animals) built around a courtyard where travelers could camp. Jesus must have been born in one of the cattle stalls; the feeding trough was his bed.

The Announcement (Luke 2:8-21). In that day, shepherds were considered to be at the lowest rung of the social ladder. Their work not only kept them away from the temple and the synagogue, but it made them ceremonially unclean. Yet in his grace, God gave the first announcement of the Savior’s birth to lowly shepherds! (See Luke 1:52.)

Gabriel may have been the angel who appeared! What a privilege this messenger had to tell about the advent of the Messiah! We have the privilege of sharing the good news with the world, and angels cannot take our place.

The “singing army” of angels proclaimed the glory of the Lord. Luke’s Gospel is filled with praise (Luke 1:64; 2:13, 28; 5:25-26; 7:16; 13:13; 17:15, 18; 18:43; 19:37; 23:47; 24:53). Since 27 B.C., the famous “Roman peace” (Pax Romana) had been in effect; but there was no real peace on earth, nor can there be until the Prince of Peace reigns on David’s throne.

The first human ambassadors of the Gospel were humble shepherds who hastened to see the baby and then told everybody what they had seen and heard (Acts 4:20). The Greek verb for “found” in verse 16 means “to find after a search.”

The Magi had a star to guide them (Matthew 2), but all the shepherds had was the sign given them by the angel (verse 12). The shepherds, like the angels before them, glorified and praised God (verses 20-21).

The Adoration (Luke 2:21-40). Jesus was “made under the law” and was therefore circumcised on the eighth day and given the name “Jesus,” which means “Jehovah is salvation.”

But there were two other OT laws Mary and Joseph had to obey: the purification of the mother and the redemption of their firstborn. The Redeemer was redeemed! But, because Mary and Joseph were too poor to purchase a lamb, they brought two birds.

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.