New beginnings for sure, today. It's all about babies.
Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary
Luke 1:39-45
Mary praises God
Luke 1:46-55
The birth of John the Baptist 6BC
Mary stays with Elizabeth
Luke 1:56
The birth of John the Baptist
Luke 1:57-66
Zechariah’s prophecy
Luke 1:67-679
John’s early years
Luke 1:80
The announcement to Joseph
Matthew 1:18-24
Birth of Jesus Christ 5BCThe birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 1:25
The angels and the shepherds
Luke 2:8-20
Circumcision of Jesus
Luke 2:21
Presentation in the Temple
Luke 2:22-38
After weeks of dealing with kings and empires, it all suddenly seems very small and homely. Two women talking together about what their babies are going to become, families and friends rejoicing, naming the child ... but inserted into this ordinary scene are two extraordinary prophecies - Mary saying that her son would tear down the mighty from their seats (1:52) and Zechariah saying that his son “will be called a prophet of the Most High” (1:76)
Meanwhile Joseph, presumably shocked by the scandal of his betrothed falling pregnant, is visited by the angel telling him that this is God’s plan, not human sin.
But the baby is born in desperate circumstances - Joseph and Mary are forced to travel far from home. Even though Joseph has accepted Mary, it seems like her community sand her family haven’t, so it isn’t safe to leave her behind when the Roman bureaucrats demand a census. Staying probably with relatives, in a town bursting with visitors, Jesus is born amidst the animals and visited by strangers.
Mary and Joseph take the opportunity of being down south to present Jesus at the Temple. This is not the little Temple built by Ezra and Nehemiah, but a new, grand edifice built by the pride of Herod. There, Jesus is the subject of more prophecy, declared to be God’s salvation, and the cause of “the falling and rising of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34).
There is a real contrast of humble origins and amazing future promises going on in this story.
Luke 1:39-45
Mary praises God
Luke 1:46-55
The birth of John the Baptist 6BC
Mary stays with Elizabeth
Luke 1:56
The birth of John the Baptist
Luke 1:57-66
Zechariah’s prophecy
Luke 1:67-679
John’s early years
Luke 1:80
The announcement to Joseph
Matthew 1:18-24
Birth of Jesus Christ 5BCThe birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 1:25
The angels and the shepherds
Luke 2:8-20
Circumcision of Jesus
Luke 2:21
Presentation in the Temple
Luke 2:22-38
After weeks of dealing with kings and empires, it all suddenly seems very small and homely. Two women talking together about what their babies are going to become, families and friends rejoicing, naming the child ... but inserted into this ordinary scene are two extraordinary prophecies - Mary saying that her son would tear down the mighty from their seats (1:52) and Zechariah saying that his son “will be called a prophet of the Most High” (1:76)
Meanwhile Joseph, presumably shocked by the scandal of his betrothed falling pregnant, is visited by the angel telling him that this is God’s plan, not human sin.
But the baby is born in desperate circumstances - Joseph and Mary are forced to travel far from home. Even though Joseph has accepted Mary, it seems like her community sand her family haven’t, so it isn’t safe to leave her behind when the Roman bureaucrats demand a census. Staying probably with relatives, in a town bursting with visitors, Jesus is born amidst the animals and visited by strangers.
Mary and Joseph take the opportunity of being down south to present Jesus at the Temple. This is not the little Temple built by Ezra and Nehemiah, but a new, grand edifice built by the pride of Herod. There, Jesus is the subject of more prophecy, declared to be God’s salvation, and the cause of “the falling and rising of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34).
There is a real contrast of humble origins and amazing future promises going on in this story.
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