Dear Father in Heaven:

Please open our hearts and minds to this familiar story of Jesus’ birth and early life, and help us rediscover all You would have us understand about Your Son. Help us to hear Your Word with renewed joy and a deep reverence. Give us clarity to truly understand the unimaginable and to experience sincere gratitude for the gift of eternal life His coming has secured for all who believe.

In the sweet and holy name of Jesus, Amen.

Memory Verse

“And so the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
for today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”
Luke 2:10–11, NASB

Background

On earth, Rome rules the known world, and Caesar Augustus takes a name to identify himself as a god. But in Heaven, God intervenes in the history of man once again by sending His only begotten Son to live His earthly life among us and forever change the world.

Luke’s account tells of Jesus’ humble earthly birth and the contrasting glorious heavenly birth announcement. Starting with the baby Savior’s first cry, chapters 2–3 tell of His childhood and His baptism, up to the beginning of His public ministry as a young man. As is Luke’s habit, he ties the story of God’s plan for our salvation to recorded historical events, mentioning names and dates, showing our Eternal God is sovereign over kings and rulers, nations and peoples, places and time. His plan and His timing supersede all of man’s attempts to control destiny.

Study Guide Available

For the corresponding study guide, please contact Melissa Renner at melissar@stonebriar.org.