TIDINGS OF JOY

THE SHEPHERDS

Read Luke 2:8–20

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."   Luke 2:10–11 NKJV

* * *

     Exhausted but happy, Joseph wraps his newborn babe in swaddling clothes and lays him at Mary's side. They are alone, in the city of their birth, but not their home. Only the sound of animals disturbs their quiet conversation. What will life be like with this child of God? Soon they will be able to consummate their marriage and build a family together.
     Meanwhile, out in the nearby fields, a lowly group of shepherds are in for a big surprise. Suddenly an angel appears in the night sky surrounded by the glory of the Lord. He announces, “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "(Luke 2:11 NKJV)  Lonely quiet places - this stable - those fields - where all of history would be changed. Even today we date our lives from this event.

* * *

     Lord, help me to value the lonely, quiet moments of my life. They are so few and yet so valuable. Speak to my heart this morning with words of peace. Like Mary, I truly desire to understand Your ways and ponder them in my heart.

* * *

     "All those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:18-19 NKJV

BETHLEHEM

JOSEPH AND MARY

Read Luke 2:1–7; Micah 5:2    

 Joseph also went up… to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.   Luke 2:4–5 NKJV

* * *

     Mary was in the last stages of her pregnancy when something very distressing happened. The Caesar of Rome declared that a census be taken, forcing the people to go to the city of their birth to register. Hardship or not, they had to comply with this order.

   Joseph must have been deeply concerned about his wife during the trip to Bethlehem. He probably did not consider at the time that prophesy was being fulfilled. Over 700 years before, the prophet Micah predicted that the promised Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

* * *

     Sometimes life is not convenient or comfortable; sometimes circumstances are overwhelming. Lord, give us peace in those times, knowing that You are a God who cares and watches over us. Help us to remember that all things work together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.

* * *

     "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to me the one to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."  Micah 5:2 NKJV

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM

[6]

THE WISE MEN AND HEROD

Read Matthew 2:1–12 & Micah 5:2

     When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: Matthew 2:4–5 NIV

* * *

     Long before Jesus was born, the prophets had predicted His coming. The priests and rabbis knew that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem because of a prophesy they related to Herod and the wise men. We know that even the common people were taught this prophesy, since later–when Jesus started His ministry–the people said, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" (John 7:41b-42)

     The people must not have realized that He was born in Bethlehem at the time of the census. The Jews of Jesus time really had no excuse for not recognizing their Messiah. Had they truly been looking for Him, they would have known who He was–just as the Wise Men and even Herod did.

* * *

     Lord, I praise You for the reliability of Your Word. Help me to be willing to share the message of Your coming with my children, their friends and all who might be seeking for truth. As the Christmas cards say, "Wise men still seek Him."

* * *

     "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."   Matthew 2:2 NIV