12/28               Luke 2:33-35 

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.  34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.  35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” 

YOU

Do you forget what Jesus calls us to do?  I do.  His parents did-they didn’t know him as the Messiah at that time but we do.  Follow Jesus.  Do what He says.  Spend time with Jesus.  Keep the focus of your life on Jesus. 

12/27               Luke 2:22-32 

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD.”  24 So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”  25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” 

REQUIRED

Jesus does everything required by the Scriptures.  The Word of God follows the Word of God!

That says to us that obedience to the Word of God is much more important to the Father than to us.  It also says that all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.  Keep this in mind as you spend time with Jesus.  How wonderful that He provides forgiveness, grace, holiness and relationship for us.  Jesus is God. 

12/26               Luke 2:21 

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. 

TRUE

They listened and named the child as instructed.  As we journey daily on our spiritual walk we need to do more listening and less talking.  The Lord knows what we need and too often we don’t.  Follow Jesus.  Listen to what He says.  Obey!

12/25               Luke 2:18-20 

All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. 

JOY

Overwhelmed with joy the shepherds returned to their sheep.  They had witnessed the birth of the Messiah and were simply elated about God including them in His birth story.  They were nobody and nothing and yet they Lord graced them with great favor making them eyewitnesses of the birth of the Christ child.  Jesus is born in Bethlehem.

12/24               Luke 2:17 

After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 

WITNESSED

The shepherds witnessed the Christ child and told about their experience to everyone.  They were early witnesses to Jesus.  Do not be afraid.  Listen to the Lord.  Meet Jesus if you haven’t. 

12/23               Luke 2:16 

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 

RECOGNIZE

The shepherds recognize Jesus and celebrate His arrival.  They believed the angels, came to see Jesus and worshipped Him.  Do you recognize Jesus?  Let Him into your life.  Jesus is Lord. 

12/22               Luke 2:15 

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

ACTED

The shepherds acted upon the directions of the angels.  They knew this word was from God and therefore they went to Bethlehem to see the Messiah. 

12/21               Luke 2:12 

And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 

LISTENED

The Shepherds listened to the angels.  They heard them praising the Lord.  They were overwhelmed with joy and fear.  The key was that they listened to them. 

12/20               Luke 2:10-11 

but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 

AGES

The prophecy of the ages was coming true.  The eyewitnesses: shepherds!  The Lord uses broken people.  Are you broken?  This Christmas is specially for your.  Are you on your last leg?  Nothing has worked out?  Overwhelmed?  At the end of your rope?  Jesus came for you.  He knows how you felt.  He lived it.  He knows what you need!  Salvation.  Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.  You will be forgiven of your sins.  You will become an eternal member of the family of God.  Jesus came for you.

12/19               Luke 2:8-9 

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 

AFRAID

Before you say you wouldn’t be afraid put yourself in the Shepherds’ shoes-this was an astonishing event that certainly in their mind end in their destruction.  But it wasn’t.  This was a visitation from the Lord.  Have you ever had a visitation?  Didn’t it shock you?