NOTES for Luk 2:1-20
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. |
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) |
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. |
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) |
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. |
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. |
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. |
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. |
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. |
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. |
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. |
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men. |
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. |
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. |
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. |
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. |
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. |
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. |
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Each evangelist describes the Nativity of Christ in his own way, drawing attention to the events that seem most important to him. Among the events of the Nativity, Luke gives special attention to the signs God gave that pointed to Jesus as the Messiah. The first of these signs was the revelation received by shepherds who were nearby Bethlehem (v. 8). The meaning of the revelation was quite clear. The angel who appeared before the shepherds tells them directly that the Messiah awaited by the people has been born, and the rejoicing joy of heaven confirms the significance of what is happening (vv. 9-14).
It would seem that shepherds were not the most suitable people to be the first to hear the news about the Messiah who had been born. They had neither power and authority nor knowledge. If they had wanted to tell others what they had seen, they would have been believed last, if they were believed at all. At first glance it may seem that such people have little to do with the events of spiritual life, since they are not at all like the religious activists, such as the Pharisees, who were completely sure that they, of course, would meet the Messiah before anyone else.
But Christ, as can be seen, comes to everyone, not only to those who lead an intense religious life. He comes to those who are waiting for him and are ready to receive him. And this by no means always depends on a person's religious activity. Paradoxically, such activity can sometimes even get in the way. The shepherds are simple people, and their reaction to the revelation they receive is simple too: let us go and see (v. 15)! And when they came to Bethlehem and saw the infant Christ there, they simply told, as best they could, what they had seen (vv. 16-18). Then they went back, glorifying God for the birth of the promised Messiah (v. 20).
It is enough to compare this simple account, this witness, with the theological disputes that almost every word and deed of Jesus will provoke among the same Pharisees and teachers of the Torah, to understand why the revelation about the birth of the Messiah is given precisely to shepherds. Had learned rabbis been in their place, the Virgin Mary would most likely have had to wait a long time for the witness to Christ's birth that was so important to her (v. 19), for before recognizing anyone as the Messiah, the matter had to be thoroughly investigated. But God more often needs witnesses than theologians. He does not need us to analyze and evaluate his works. It is quite enough for him that others hear about them from us.
Readings for 12 July 2025
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