The Christmas Story Love is Born: Christmas Eve (Luke 2:1-20)
Verse 1 The expression “in those days” ties this passage to the previous one about Zechariah and Mary
- The decree for a census was for the purposes of assessing taxes, at least as far as the Jews were concerned, since they were not obligated for military service.
- Caesar Augustus was known for the Pax Romana or the peace of Rome a time of unprecedented peace in the Roman time.
- The Prince of Peace was born during this time to show what real peace is.
- Isn’t that interesting that the prince of peace was not born into a time of war or chaos.
Verse 3 This returning to their home town to register was not required by the Romans but rather Rome often allowed its subjects to fulfill the law according to local and religious customs.
- For Jews, returning to their city of origin would be the most natural and least offensive way to sign up for taxes.
Verse 4 Bethlehem was closely associated with David in the OT, because this was his place of birth.
- This takes place too fulfill what the prophet Micah spoke in Micah 5:1-2 about the Messiah coming from Bethlehem.
- The name Bethlehem is derived from two Hebrew words which means, “house of bread.”
Verse 5 Both Luke and Matt indicate that the marriage has not taken place yet, or at least there has been no union. Luke does this to highlight the virgin birth.
Verse 6 While the timing of this birth seems quite inconvenient to us, God’s timing is perfect and the child, the Bread of Life, is born in the House of Bread as prophesied by Micah.
Verse 7The word “manger” in Greek has as its normal meaning a feed trough so Jesus was born in a stable or cave used for animals.
- The inn is full of course because of all the other census travelers.
Verse 8 God loves to do the unexpected. He loves to do things that go against the cultural norms.
- And so, he announces Jesus’ birth to nearby shepherds first.
Verse 9 This is now the third time in Luke that an angel has appeared, but this angel is not named.
- The phrase “the glory of the Lord” refers to the bright Shekinah glory of God’s presence.
- This bright light or “glory” in the midst of the evening would have been an impressive sight.
Verse 10 Once again in response to the fear of man the angelic visitor tells his audience not to fear.
- The reference to “all people” is a reference to Israel.
Verse 11 This verse gives the reason for the good news of the last verse. A savior has been born.
- This verse is also very important in terms of Christology because it refers to Jesus as “Savior,” “Christ,” and “Lord.”
- In one verse we see an angel of the Lord give three divine titles to Jesus.
Verse 12 The angel just got done saying that this child is to be Savior, Messiah, God,
- But now the sign given is that they will find a new born baby lying in a feed trough in an animal stable or cave.
- This birth creates an unusual bookend for this king, born in a stable and will hang with criminals.
Verse 13 It quickly went from one angel to a great host of angels.
- The Greek word translated here as “praising” refers to heavenly beings praising.
Verse 14 While heaven offers praise, humans are to have peace.
Verse 15 Just like that, the angels are gone but they have left a mighty impression.
- There is a real sense of urgency in how they respond.
- The shepherds exercise great faith and head off on what might seem like a foolish mission to go find Jesus.
- Just like Mary received the word from the angel in faith so too the shepherds receive this message and head off.
Verse 16-17 When they arrive, they find the child as stated by the angel.
- Then they begin to tell others what caused them to seek the child
- What is even more amazing here is that a shepherd’s testimony was not allowed in court.
- They were seen as dishonest and untrustworthy. The lowest of low.
- And yet God gives them the task of spreading the news about the birth of Jesus.
Verse 18 There is strong contrast though between how they were “amazed” and the following verse where Mary “treasured” these things.
Verse 19 The word translated as “treasured” should be seen more as pondering or thinking seriously.
- The reference to heart here is that Hebrew inner self, the place where this kind of thought and pondering takes place, this was not a western cerebral thinking.
Verse 20 Their faith is now also bolstered since everything they had been told was found to be true.