Luke, Chapter 2
Image inspired by the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8). Dancer, Tessa Priem
Welcome to week two of Luke/Acts 2020. I'm so glad you're here! As usual, our structure is the same as Week One: 1) I give an introduction to the Bible reading. 2) There's a recording of me reading the chapter. 3) Followed by questions and an explanation. 4) I'll post a hymn that you can sing or read. 5) And we'll close with a prayer. Easy-peasy! If you have a Bible, great. Open it to Luke, chapter two. If not, you can find Luke chapter two online here. Let's dig in and get started!
1) Introduction: Luke wrote his Gospel likely around 55-60 AD. As I mentioned, it was written for Theophilus to strengthen Theophilus's faith in Christ. In Chapter One, you may recall that Luke wrote about John the Baptist being conceived and about Jesus's conception. After John was born, Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem about six months later, which is a real town that still exists today! I mention this because I didn't realize that Bethlehem was a REAL geographic location when I was a child. Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph, followed the Old Testament laws that were required when a baby was born into a Jewish family. So, in Chapter Two, we read about how Mary and Joseph were greatly perplexed regarding what people said about their newborn son as they brought him into the Temple in Jerusalem.
2) Recording: Here's a recording of Luke, chapter two. You can listen to it or read Luke 2 on your own. If listening, I read quickly at points! Also, my kids are playing in the background.
| luke_2.m4a |
3) Explanation & Questions: What stood out to you from today's reading? If you had been the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, Mary, or Joseph, how would you have reacted to these spiritual experiences that Luke records in Chapter Two? In today's reading, we see the beautiful timing of God, don't we? We read about how each person was prepared and prompted for the reception of the Messiah. Old Testament prophecies were finally being fulfilled, in other words, and the people were excited. For it seems that all things were perfectly orchestrated — down to the very census of the Roman Empire itself.
For digging deeper, see my Google Doc that discusses specific verses and terms. You'll want to scroll down to Chapter Two's notes, which begin on page 8.
For digging deeper, see my Google Doc that discusses specific verses and terms. You'll want to scroll down to Chapter Two's notes, which begin on page 8.
4) Hymn: Here's a recording of the hymn "Gentle Mary Laid Her Child." The lyrics are below if you'd like to read or sing!
| gentle_mary_laid_her_child.m4a |
Gentle Mary laid her child Lowly in a manger;
There He lay, the Undefiled, To the world a stranger.
Such a babe in such a place, Can He be the Savior?
Ask the saved of all the race Who have found His favor.
Angles sang about His birth, Wise Men sought and found Him;
Heaven's star shone brightly forth Glory all around Him.
Shepherds saw the wondrous sight, Heard the angles singing;
All the plains were lit that night, All the hills were ringing.
Gentle Mary laid her child Lowly in a manger;
He is still the Undefiled But no more a stranger.
Son of God of humble birth, Beautiful the story;
Praise His name in all the earth; Hail the King of glory!
Note: Luke's Gospel does not mention the visit of the Magi or the star. However, Matthew's Gospel does.
There He lay, the Undefiled, To the world a stranger.
Such a babe in such a place, Can He be the Savior?
Ask the saved of all the race Who have found His favor.
Angles sang about His birth, Wise Men sought and found Him;
Heaven's star shone brightly forth Glory all around Him.
Shepherds saw the wondrous sight, Heard the angles singing;
All the plains were lit that night, All the hills were ringing.
Gentle Mary laid her child Lowly in a manger;
He is still the Undefiled But no more a stranger.
Son of God of humble birth, Beautiful the story;
Praise His name in all the earth; Hail the King of glory!
Note: Luke's Gospel does not mention the visit of the Magi or the star. However, Matthew's Gospel does.
5) Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunity to read your Gospel and for announcing the birth of your Son in it. The shepherds were so excited to tell people about what they found in the manger. Furthermore, they saw your angels and witnessed Jesus as a newborn. These events must have been so extremely powerful in their lives. You also prophesied to Simeon and kept that promise to him: he saw the Messiah before he died. Thank you for working in Simeon's life and for sending Christ to the whole world. We ask that you be with us today; help us to understand your Word, and guide us as you did Anna, Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and the shepherds. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Disclaimer: I should mention that I do not have copyright permission regarding the particular Bible I'm using. I'm reading an ESV edition in this recording. Most of the hymns I choose are in the public domain.
If you'd like to follow me and learn more about what I do, especially dance-wise, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. If you'd like to know about my solo dance show or read my bio, click here (you can learn about my life story danced out)! I'm also writing my autobiography, and you can read about that journey. Most of all, I look forward to you studying the books of Luke and Acts and learning about Jesus. Enjoy!
If you'd like to follow me and learn more about what I do, especially dance-wise, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. If you'd like to know about my solo dance show or read my bio, click here (you can learn about my life story danced out)! I'm also writing my autobiography, and you can read about that journey. Most of all, I look forward to you studying the books of Luke and Acts and learning about Jesus. Enjoy!
