Luke 2:1-20 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Context: When the sun sets on December 24, Advent ends and we begin our celebration on the night before Christmas. Christmas Eve is one of the most holy days in the church year and worship services that are held on this night are some of the most widely attended.
Going Deeper: Read this passage again slowly and use your imagination and your senses to savor the story.
Seeing: Close your eyes and think about what you might see if you were watching the story unfold.
Hearing: What are the sounds that you hear as you quieten your mind?
Smelling: What kinds of smells might one enjoy while kneeling at the manger?
Touching: What objects would you reach out and touch ... how do they feel?
Tasting: What can you taste as you partake of the nativity scene before you?
Pondering: What kinds of feelings do you have after considering the birth of the Savior through your imagination and your senses? As you sit with the story in all of its sensual richness ... what do your know in the deepest part of your heart about the call of God upon your own life? What is the message God has for you this Christmas?
Prayer: As you sit in the quiet, consider the birth of Christ in your life ... Dear God, thank you for sending the Christ Child to be born in the midst of humanity. I welcome you into my life anew this day. Amen.
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