In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
Luke 2:1-3
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:6-7
Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.
Micah 5:2
Taking on the likeness of humanity, God shows us He does not want to be perceived as unreachable.
In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:8-12
Angel = ἄγγελος (angelos) = messenger, envoy
Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!
Luke 2:13-14
Through Jesus, God who dwells in the highest heaven is glorified the most and people on earth experience the greatest peace to ever exist.
When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Luke 2:15-18
This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:12
“Rava says: The shepherd that the Sages said is disqualified from bearing witness is referring to both a shepherd of small livestock and a herder of large livestock.”
– Talmud, Sanhedrin 25b
The power of the Good News of Jesus Christ is shown in the changed lives of its believers.
But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.
Luke 2:19
“The sense here is that Mary continued to think and ponder over the events as a whole so that she was able to discern their meaning.”
– Marshall Howard
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:20
