Luke 2:4 “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,”

   David was from Bethlehem. That is where Samuel found him and anointed him to be the king of all Israel. Surely this journey was special to Joseph, especially because of the extraordinary timing and circumstances.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all that You have done in our lives. When difficult things happen we are always tempted to ask why. Yet we don’t question the blessings. Thank You for Your goodness. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 2:3 “And all went to be registered, each to his own town.”

   It was the law of the Romans that mandated the registration. But, it was likely the law of Moses that required the place of registration. See, to the Romans property was property, to be bought and sold. But for the Jews, it was a patrimony, and would stay in the family. Thus, the Jews would go to great lengths to ensure the continuation of that possession.
   Personal property is a biblical concept. But, ultimately, other than in the land of Israel, none of this earth has been Divinely give to anyone. So, personal property is governed by human laws.

Heavenly Father, I am looking forward to that heavenly home! One day we will have a place to hang our hat that we will never have to leave. That is so comforting! May we not get too comfortable in our present home so that we may build upon our future one. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 2:2 “This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.”

   Many have disputed the account of Luke here. The census of Quirinius seems to have occurred too late for this verse to be accurate. Besides this, there is no historical record of a worldwide taxation. Also, it is unclear why Joseph would have had to go to Bethlehem to be registered.
   However, these issues can be addressed. First, the account of Luke does not require a worldwide registration, all at once. Instead, as verse two seems to indicate, the registration occurred at different places, at different times. And it occurred more than once.
   Second, we have records of a registration under Quirinius, but there could have been more than one. Thus, this doesn’t give us an exact time. Third, Joseph may well have been required to go to Bethlehem because he would have a land inheritance there.
   Needless to say, people tend to prefer the historical records we find outside of Scripture above Scripture. However, the Bible time and again shows itself to be an accurate historical account.

Heavenly Father, give us a love for Your Word! You have supplied is with an accurate account of Your plan and purpose for the ages. Help us to share it freely, kindly, and boldly. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 2:1 “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.”

   One of the most important things to remember about the Bible is that it is, above all else, a history. God has given us an accurate record of what He wants us to know about. He doesn’t expect us to get spiritual nourishment from a purely philosophical treatis with no real life content.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wisdom. You know the best way to go about things. You always have the wisest plan. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:80 “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.”

   Diversity is to the glory of God. Jesus did not come from the desert as John did. But, this loving in the desert was something God directed John to do. The Lord’s ways are not always plain to us, but they are always best.

Heavenly Father, thank You for taking interest in our lives. You are ready to head each of us in Your special way. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:79 “To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

   In the first part of Isaiah 42, we find prophecy concerning Christ. This verse is a reference to that passage. Jesus brings peace and light not just to the Jews, but to the Gentiles as well. Finding all of this from Zacharias just shows that the focus is on Christ. This is why the prophets, including John, were not always well accepted.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all of your mercy on the Gentiles. You have given Your truth to so many. May we always be faithful to share the truth. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:78 “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;”

   I love the word Dayspring. Though it literally means sunrise, Dayspring communicates something special. Day is not contingent upon the sun. It is contingent upon the Lord, who designed the sun and the moon, and earth, and all the rest. Without the Dayspring, the sun could not exist. The word reminds us that not only has Jesus brought a new beginning, He is the beginning.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Dayspring from on high! We praise You for ever for Him! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:77 “To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins,”

   This is very important to understand. The knowledge of salvation is very valuable, and very important. Many of the Jews in the time of Christ knew this. But, many of them based this knowledge on the wrong things. They felt certain of their salvation on the basis of their prosperity or position in life. These things are misleading at best.
   Zacharias was one who understood that salvation is dependent upon the complete forgiveness of sins. And this is only possible through Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your truth. The knowledge of salvation is so vital! You have given us the way to know, the way to live, in Christ. We will forever enjoy serving for Your glory! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,”

   The ministry of John was the confirmation of the identity of Jesus as the Messiah. And yet, the Jews as a whole failed to understand. How is that possible?
   Remember that the Old Testament prophets were not well received either. Since the time of Moses, the nation has turned their backs on the Lord time and again. And, this is hardly limited to the Jews. Humanity as a whole has done the same.

Heavenly Father, be merciful to Your people! We have all gone out of the way. But, You are the One who draws us to Yourself. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:75 “In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.”

   The greatest dream of the true child of God is to serve. And it is to serve before Him all the days of one’s life. Often people have the idea that service for the Lord is only a requirement because there is a job to do leading the lost to Christ. Well, that is our task as the church. But, Christians will be servants of the Lord for all of eternity. Like the angels themselves, we will always serve Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to serve You! We often fail to realize what a privilege it is to work in Your service. May we never cease to praise You! It is awesome to thing of Your holiness and righteousness. It is humbling to serve You in them. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.