THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Passage: Luke 2:1-14

Key verse: 11

NIV

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel(F) of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.(G) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior(H) has been born to you; he is the Messiah,(I) the Lord.(J) 12 This will be a sign(K) to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace(L) to those on whom his favor rests.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:2 Or This census took place before
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days (A)a decree went out from (B)Caesar Augustus that all the world should be (C)registered. 2 This was the first (D)registration when[a] Quirinius (E)was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up (F)from Galilee, from the town of (G)Nazareth, to Judea, to (H)the city of David, which is called (I)Bethlehem, (J)because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And (K)while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and (L)wrapped him in swaddling cloths and (M)laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in (N)the inn.[c]

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 (O)appeared to them, and (P)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 (Q)the people. 11 For (R)unto you is born this day in (S)the city of David (T)a Savior, who is (U)Christ (V)the Lord. 12 And (W)this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby (X)wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel (Y)a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 (Z)“Glory to God (AA)in the highest,
    (AB)and on earth (AC)peace (AD)among those with whom he is pleased!”[d]

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:2 Or This was the registration before
  2. Luke 2:5 That is, one legally pledged to be married
  3. Luke 2:7 Or guest room
  4. Luke 2:14 Some manuscripts peace, good will among men
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. "She gave birth to her firstborn, a son" (1-7) At just the right time, Jesus was born. It seemed the powers of this world were insurmountable. No one could defy Caesar and his governors. So when a census was called, Joseph had to take his pregnant wife Mary on a long journey to Bethlehem. There, as was prophesied, Jesus was born in a manger and wrapped in cloths. The Lord used the powers of this world to bring His plan for the birth of the Messiah to fruition. 2. "Glory to God in the highest!" (8-14) The first to learn of the birth of the Savior were shepherds, working in the fields at night. An angel appeared to them and gave them the good news that would cause great joy. What was this news? A Savior was born to them! The angel gave the shepherd a sign, then a whole host of angels appeared, praising God. "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." The birth of Jesus is indeed good news of great joy! The birth of Jesus brings us peace on whom his favor rests.

Prayer: Lord, thank you so much for Jesus, our Savior, Christ the Lord!

One Word: Glory to God in the highest!