Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him with cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you Good News of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”
– Luke 2:1-14
Devotion
In this passage, Luke records Mary’s birth account of Jesus. It is no surprise that Luke was writing as a Gentile about the Savior for all humanity. In his account, Luke focuses on God’s activity with Mary. We also see how God is working in the world to bring about the birth of His Son just as He prophesied in the Old Testament. God moved the entire world’s population to assure that His promised Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. We also see that God did not choose to reveal His birth to the prominent citizens of that day. Instead He revealed the birth of His Son to lowly shepherds.
The Big Question
Why do you think Luke focused on God’s activity with Mary? Why is this important? What impacts you the most as you read this familiar story? Why is it significant that shepherds were chosen to be the first recipients of the news of Jesus’ birth? What is so significant about the angelic announcement in verses 10-14?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.