Week 1 Friday
Luke 2:1-20
The Birth of Jesus Christ
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
THINK
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (v14)
It’s great to know that God doesn’t treat us the same way as we treat one another. And we, most of the time, live with the consequences of our sinful actions. But God always stands by us when it comes to life and salvation!! When the angels appeared to the shepherds to tell them the good news of the birth of Christ, they revealed that God desired peace for us. He was sending Jesus to us. We didn’t earn it. We certainly don’t always do what we are supposed to; yet Jesus came to this earth because He loves us, to die on the cross and rise from the dead so we all get to go and be with Him forever!
And now that we have this gift from God and the Spirit within us, we can do the work God has given us; willingly and with great joy!
Why do we find it so difficult to do God’s work? Or to follow God’s ways if we know the reward for doing so? A lot of times we become selfish and would rather do what we believe is good for us rather than taking the time to consider whether it is what God would want.
PRAY
God, to follow Your ways and to please You is the right and only way. Please give me the strength to stop and think before I do something so that I will do only what pleases You. Amen