Stars over dark fields and a small hilltop village at night.

The Gospel According to

Luke 2

A manger in Bethlehem, angels over the fields, and a boy in His Father’s house.

52 verses≈ 8 min6 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

The Birth of Jesus

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.

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Stylised map · locations approximate

Where it happened

Nazareth to Bethlehem

Joseph and Mary travel south from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David, about six miles beyond Jerusalem. On foot it was a journey of several days.

Two travelers walking a rocky path through the hills.

So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son.

She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger

Luke 2:7

Question

Quick question

Luke gives a reason for the long journey south.

Why did Joseph go to Bethlehem?

The Shepherds and the Angels

Sheep resting on a dark hillside beside a small fire under the stars.

And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

Just 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, “Do not be afraid!

The angel

A night sky blazing with light and stars above dark hills.

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men

on whom His favor rests!”

0:12

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Glory to God in the highest

Luke 2:14

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.

After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

Shepherds and their flock walking a hillside path toward the sunrise.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.

Live it

Good news to share

The angel brought “good news of great joy” first to shepherds keeping watch at night, and they spread the message. Who could you share good news with this week?

Jesus Presented at the Temple

What the Law required

Whiteboard

Luke shows Mary and Joseph doing everything the Law of the Lord required. Their offering of two birds was the one the Law allowed for a family who could not afford a lamb.

When the eight days before His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived.

And when the time of purification according to the Law of Moses was complete, His parents brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

The Prophecy of Simeon

Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law, Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:

First light spreading across the sea and a long coastline.

Listen · Read along

“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised,

You now dismiss Your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

which You have prepared in the sight of all people,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for glory to Your people Israel.”

0:00 / 0:15

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

For my eyes have seen Your salvation

Luke 2:30

The Child’s father and mother were amazed at what was spoken about Him.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary:

“Behold, this Child is appointed to cause

the rise and fall of many in Israel,

and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—

and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”

The Prophecy of Anna

There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four.

A woman kneeling in prayer in a lamplit stone colonnade at night.

She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Pray

A moment to pray

Simeon was “waiting for the consolation of Israel,” and Anna gave thanks to God. Take a moment to bring God something you are waiting for, and thank Him that He keeps His promises.

The Return to Nazareth

Stylised map · locations approximate

Where it happened

Home to Nazareth

After presenting Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, the family returns north to their own town of Nazareth in Galilee.

When Jesus’ parents had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus at the Temple

A long line of pilgrims walking a road through the hills toward a walled city.

Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.

When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware He had stayed. Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends.

When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.

Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.

When His parents saw Him, they were astonished.

Mary

“Child, why have You done this to us?”

His mother asked.

Mary

“Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”

Jesus

“Why were you looking for Me?”

He asked.

Jesus

“Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

I had to be in My Father’s house

Luke 2:49

But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.

Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

A young olive tree growing strong in sunlight on a hillside.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

0:06

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

Looking back on Luke 2

From a manger in Bethlehem to His Father’s house in Jerusalem, everyone who met this Child was changed. Like Mary, what will you treasure up from this chapter?

You’ve experienced

Luke 2

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