The practice of making New Year’s resolutions goes back over 3,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something about the start of a new year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between December 31 and January 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on December 31. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of New Year’s resolutions. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year’s resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make?

Common New Year’s resolutions are commitments to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money more wisely, and to spend more time with family. By far, the most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating more healthily. These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” The vast majority of New Year’s resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. This should not be.

Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year’s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself?

Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” John 15:5 declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” If God is the center of your New Year’s resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word, we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution.

So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make? Here are some suggestions: (1) pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make; (2) pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you; (3) rely on God’s strength to help you; (4) find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you; (5) don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead, allow them to motivate you further; (6) don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6 says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

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The author of the book of Hebrews, who did not identify himself, wrote this letter to Jewish Christians to encourage them in their faith. He reminded them that Jesus Christ came to the earth to fulfill the Old Testament Scriptures, that he is God, and that he is greater than even the angels. Hebrews 1:1-14 The Son Superior to Angels  1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.  5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,    “You are my Son;    today I have become your Father”?    Or again,    “I will be his Father,    and he will be my Son”?  6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,    “Let all God’s angels worship him.”  7 In speaking of the angels he says,    “He makes his angels winds,    his servants flames of fire.”  8 But about the Son he says,    “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,    and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions    by anointing you with the oil of joy.”  10 He also says,    “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,    and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain;    they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe;    like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same,    and your years will never end.”  13 To which of the angels did God ever say,    “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies    a footstool for your feet”?  14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Further Study JUST THE FACTS How did God speak to “our forefathers”? How does God speak “in these last days”? (vv. 1 – 2) Where does the Son now sit? (v. 3) What tasks has God given the angels? (vv. 6 – 7,14) LET’S TALK What words and phrases show how Christ is greater than the angels? How does this reading help you understand the “big picture” of Jesus’ coming? WHY THIS MATTERS The Messiah’s coming was foretold by the prophets. Jesus was born and lived and died as a human being. Now Jesus Christ holds a position of honor in heaven at the right hand of God. POINTS OF INTEREST 1:5 The author of this letter quoted two Old Testament texts that his original readers would have been familiar with-—Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14--to prove that Jesus Christ is God’s Son.

The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas Day, Dec. 25th, the birth of Jesus, and the Epiphany, Jan. 6th, the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the light of the world.
   The Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" may sound silly and contrived to many of us. But it actually had its origins in religious symbolism - and with a serious purpose.
   It dates from a time of religious persecution. The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," was written as a kind of secret catechism that could sing in public without fear of arrest - a learning or memory aid to Christians in fact.
   The song can be taken at two levels of interpretation - the surface meaning, or the hidden meaning known only to the Christians involved. Each element is a code word for a religious truth.

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.
2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.
5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.
7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.
11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.
12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

Several months after Jesus was born, Magi (traditionally called wise men) came from the east to Jerusalem asking about a new king. First, they asked King Herod, who was a friend of the Roman rulers, where to find the one they were looking for. Then they traveled another five miles to the town where Jesus lived in order to find him. Matthew 2:1-12 The Visit of the Magi  1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”  3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:  6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler    who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”  7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”  9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Further Study JUST THE FACTS Whom did the Magi say they were looking for? (v. 2) What was the name of the king who was disturbed when he heard of another king being born? (v. 3) What did the Magi do when they found Mary with her child? (v. 11) LET’S TALK Why was King Herod disturbed when he heard that the Messiah had been born? What did he think the Messiah would do? Why do you think the Magi didn’t go back to King Herod? WHY THIS MATTERS The Magi were the first to acknowledge Jesus as a king. This affirmed what the angel had said to Mary: Jesus would receive the throne of David, and his kingdom would have no end (see Luke 1:32 - 33). POINTS OF INTEREST 2:2 Astronomers have explained that the star of Bethlehem was a comet, a nova or an alignment of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. But history does not record that anyone besides the Magi saw this star. Apparently the star was a celestial phenomena God created just for this occasion.

Forty days after his birth, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. They were obeying religious laws that Moses had given the Israelites long before. They went to dedicate their firstborn son to God and to offer sacrifices. Luke 2:21-40 Jesus Presented in the Temple  21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.  22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”  25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,    you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,  31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles    and for glory to your people Israel.”   33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”  36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.  39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Further Study JUST THE FACTS Why did Mary and Joseph go to Jerusalem? (vv. 22 – 24) How did Mary and Joseph react to what Simeon said? (v. 33) How old was Anna? What did she do every day? (v. 37) LET’S TALK How did Simeon’s blessing confirm who Jesus was? Why did Mary and Joseph marvel at what was said about their son? What were Simeon and Anna waiting for? What kind of people were they? WHY THIS MATTERS Simeon and Anna were faithful people with hearts that were open to God. Even though Jesus was very young, it was clear to Simeon and Anna that he was the Messiah the Jewish people had been waiting and hoping for. POINTS OF INTEREST 2:24 To observe the Law of Moses, a woman who had given birth to a son was to wait 40 days; then she was to sacrifice a lamb and either a dove or a pigeon. If a woman could not afford to bring a lamb and a dove or pigeon, she was allowed to bring two doves or two pigeons.

God had promised the people of Israel a Savior. Through the prophets, God had told them how the Savior would come and what he would do. All the things the prophets had said about Jesus’ birth came to pass. Mary gave birth to Jesus in the town of Bethlehem, an ordinary, quiet place.

Luke 2:1-7

The Birth of Jesus

 ¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to his own town to register.

 ⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem 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 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 room for them in the inn.

Further Study

JUST THE FACTS

1. Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem? (vv. 1 – 3)
2. What was another name for the town of Bethlehem? (v. 4)
3. Why did Mary put the baby in a manger? (v. 7)

LET’S TALK

1. Can you think of some of the prophecies that were fulfilled when Jesus was born? Look back to the previous readings if you need to.
2. Why would God want his Son to be born in such a poor and ordinary place?

WHY THIS MATTERS

That night in Bethlehem, God came down to earth in the form of a little baby. God gave Jesus a humble beginning so that everyone could understand that he came to bring salvation to all people, even the poorest and lowliest. Jesus was born human, like us, so we could relate to him. He was God so that he could save us from our sins and give us new life.

POINTS OF INTEREST

2:7 The manger Mary laid Jesus in was a trough or open box used to hold grain or grasses to feed livestock. The area around Bethlehem has many limestone caves that were used in Bible times to shelter and feed animals. Although we think of a stable as a wooden building, the stable Jesus was born in may have been a cave located behind an inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

Bethlehem was ordinarily a quiet town. But on the night that Jesus was born there, something happened outside of town--something spectacular!

Luke 2:8-20

 ⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel 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. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign 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,
   and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

 ¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Further Study

JUST THE FACTS

1. Who appeared to the shepherds out in the fields? (v. 9)
2. What did he say? (vv. 10 – 11)
3. What happened after this angel made his announcement? (v. 13)

LET’S TALK

1. Why were the shepherds terrified to see the angel and “the glory of the Lord”? (v. 9) How would you feel if you were camping out and saw this phenomenon?
2. What did the shepherds do after they went to see Jesus in the manger? Why?

WHY THIS MATTERS

The story of Jesus’ birth had to be told, and the shepherds became witnesses to the indescribable miracle of the Messiah’s coming. This story has amazed people for centuries, just as it amazed the shepherds and the people they told.

POINTS OF INTEREST

2:14 The hymn of the angels is called the “Gloria in Excelsis Deo,” which is the refrain of the song “Angels We Have Heard on High” that we sing during the Christmas season. The phrase “Glory to God” praises the majesty of God, who dwells “in the highest” in heaven.

Zechariah and Elizabeth became the parents of John, just as the angel Gabriel had told Zechariah. Their son became the prophet who later announced the great news of the Messiah to the people of Israel and prepared them for Jesus’ coming. Luke 1:57-80 The Birth of John the Baptist  57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.  59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”  61 They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”  62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him. Zechariah’s Song   67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:  68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,    because he has come and has redeemed his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us    in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies    and from the hand of all who hate us-- 72 to show mercy to our fathers    and to remember his holy covenant,  73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,    and to enable us to serve him without fear  75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation    through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God,    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness    and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Further Study JUST THE FACTS What name did the people want Elizabeth to give her son? Why? (v. 59) How was the baby’s name finally chosen? (v. 63) What happened to Zechariah when he wrote down the baby’s name? (v. 64) LET’S TALK Names were very important during Bible times. They often told what the child meant to the parents or described who he or she would become. Why did your parents give you the name you have? Discuss the names of the people in your family and what they mean. What do you suppose the people were actually saying when they were “talking about all these things” (v. 65)? What would you have talked about if you had heard something like this? WHY THIS MATTERS This story shows how much God loves us. He made sure that everything was ready for Jesus’ birth by sending a messenger, John. God kept every promise he made and did the “impossible” to make it all happen just as he had said. POINTS OF INTEREST 1:60 In Bible times, the mother often named a child. In the Old Testament, Leah, Rachel and Hannah named their children. A few times, someone else named a child: Pharaoh’s daughter named Moses and the village women named Ruth’s child Obed. Occasionally the father named a child or changed the name after the mother had selected one. That’s why the people asked Zechariah what name he wanted for his son. He confirmed that the name of his son was John.

Mary was promised to be married to Joseph. In those days betrothal, or engagement, was a very important legal agreement. But when Mary told Joseph she was pregnant, Joseph no longer wanted to marry her. Then he had a dream that convinced him that everything that had happened was from the Holy Spirit of God. Matthew 1:18-25 The Birth of Jesus Christ  18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”--which means, “God with us.”  24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Further Study JUST THE FACTS Who talked to Joseph in a dream? What did the messenger call Joseph? (v. 20) What did the messenger tell Joseph would happen? (v. 21) What was Joseph told to name the baby? Why? (v. 21) LET’S TALK How do you think Joseph felt after his dream? Have you ever had a dream that made you feel better about a situation? Why is it important that these events took place according to the prophecy in verse 23? WHY THIS MATTERS God wanted Jesus, his own Son, to have both a father and a mother to care for him and bring him up according to the Law of Moses and the law of the land. God worked everything out to fulfill every detail prophesied by the prophets. POINTS OF INTEREST 1:19 In Bible times, being betrothed meant the couple was legally promised to each other, but the bride didn’t live with the bridegroom. After the wedding ceremony, the bride’s family would have a big feast that lasted for six or seven days. Then the bride would go to live in her husband’s house.

When Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth was six months pregnant, her young cousin Mary had a very special visitor. An angel told Mary that she had been chosen to give birth to a special child, the Son of the Most High. Mary was betrothed (engaged) to a man named Joseph, who was from the family line of David.

Luke 1:26-56

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

 ²⁶ In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  ²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”  ³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” ³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God.” ³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

 ³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Mary’s Song

 ⁴⁶ And Mary said:   “My soul glorifies the Lord
 ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
   of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
 ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
   holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   even as he said to our fathers.” ⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Further Study JUST THE FACTS

1. What was the name of the angel who visited Mary? (v. 26)
2. What was the name Mary was to give her child? (v. 31)
3. What was Mary’s final answer to the angel? (v. 38)

LET’S TALK

1. Why did Mary believe this very unusual announcement? Why did Mary visit Elizabeth?
2. What was Mary like? Why do you think God chose her to be Jesus’ mother?

WHY THIS MATTERS

God showed that he can do the impossible--a virgin became pregnant by his Holy Spirit, and God’s Son came into the world. Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46 - 55 tells how wonderful this news is.

POINTS OF INTEREST

1:39 – 40 Mary’s home in Nazareth was about 65 miles away from Jerusalem, where her cousin Elizabeth lived. In Bible times, that distance would have taken several days to travel. It was common for relatives to visit and stay for months at a time, like Mary did.

Further Study JUST THE FACTS

1. What was the name of the angel who visited Mary? (v. 26)
2. What was the name Mary was to give her child? (v. 31)
3. What was Mary’s final answer to the angel? (v. 38)

LET’S TALK

1. Why did Mary believe this very unusual announcement? Why did Mary visit Elizabeth?
2. What was Mary like? Why do you think God chose her to be Jesus’ mother?

WHY THIS MATTERS

God showed that he can do the impossible--a virgin became pregnant by his Holy Spirit, and God’s Son came into the world. Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46 - 55 tells how wonderful this news is.

POINTS OF INTEREST

1:39 – 40 Mary’s home in Nazareth was about 65 miles away from Jerusalem, where her cousin Elizabeth lived. In Bible times, that distance would have taken several days to travel. It was common for relatives to visit and stay for months at a time, like Mary did.

Further Study JUST THE FACTS

1. What was the name of the angel who visited Mary? (v. 26)
2. What was the name Mary was to give her child? (v. 31)
3. What was Mary’s final answer to the angel? (v. 38)

LET’S TALK

1. Why did Mary believe this very unusual announcement? Why did Mary visit Elizabeth?
2. What was Mary like? Why do you think God chose her to be Jesus’ mother?

WHY THIS MATTERS

God showed that he can do the impossible--a virgin became pregnant by his Holy Spirit, and God’s Son came into the world. Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46 - 55 tells how wonderful this news is.

POINTS OF INTEREST

1:39 – 40 Mary’s home in Nazareth was about 65 miles away from Jerusalem, where her cousin Elizabeth lived. In Bible times, that distance would have taken several days to travel. It was common for relatives to visit and stay for months at a time, like Mary did.

Luke 1:26-56

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

 ²⁶ In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  ²⁹ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”  ³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” ³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God.” ³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

 ³⁹ At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, ⁴⁰ where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! ⁴³ But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Mary’s Song

 ⁴⁶ And Mary said:   “My soul glorifies the Lord
 ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has been mindful
   of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
 ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
   holy is his name.
⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones
⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful
⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   even as he said to our fathers.” ⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Further Study JUST THE FACTS

1. What was the name of the angel who visited Mary? (v. 26)
2. What was the name Mary was to give her child? (v. 31)
3. What was Mary’s final answer to the angel? (v. 38)

LET’S TALK

1. Why did Mary believe this very unusual announcement? Why did Mary visit Elizabeth?
2. What was Mary like? Why do you think God chose her to be Jesus’ mother?

WHY THIS MATTERS

God showed that he can do the impossible--a virgin became pregnant by his Holy Spirit, and God’s Son came into the world. Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46 - 55 tells how wonderful this news is.

POINTS OF INTEREST

1:39 – 40 Mary’s home in Nazareth was about 65 miles away from Jerusalem, where her cousin Elizabeth lived. In Bible times, that distance would have taken several days to travel. It was common for relatives to visit and stay for months at a time, like Mary did.

Further Study JUST THE FACTS

1. What was the name of the angel who visited Mary? (v. 26)
2. What was the name Mary was to give her child? (v. 31)
3. What was Mary’s final answer to the angel? (v. 38)

LET’S TALK

1. Why did Mary believe this very unusual announcement? Why did Mary visit Elizabeth?
2. What was Mary like? Why do you think God chose her to be Jesus’ mother?

WHY THIS MATTERS

God showed that he can do the impossible--a virgin became pregnant by his Holy Spirit, and God’s Son came into the world. Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46 - 55 tells how wonderful this news is.

POINTS OF INTEREST

1:39 – 40 Mary’s home in Nazareth was about 65 miles away from Jerusalem, where her cousin Elizabeth lived. In Bible times, that distance would have taken several days to travel. It was common for relatives to visit and stay for months at a time, like Mary did.

Further Study JUST THE FACTS

1. What was the name of the angel who visited Mary? (v. 26)
2. What was the name Mary was to give her child? (v. 31)
3. What was Mary’s final answer to the angel? (v. 38)

LET’S TALK

1. Why did Mary believe this very unusual announcement? Why did Mary visit Elizabeth?
2. What was Mary like? Why do you think God chose her to be Jesus’ mother?

WHY THIS MATTERS

God showed that he can do the impossible--a virgin became pregnant by his Holy Spirit, and God’s Son came into the world. Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46 - 55 tells how wonderful this news is.

POINTS OF INTEREST

1:39 – 40 Mary’s home in Nazareth was about 65 miles away from Jerusalem, where her cousin Elizabeth lived. In Bible times, that distance would have taken several days to travel. It was common for relatives to visit and stay for months at a time, like Mary did.

Many years later, Israel came under the powerful rule of the Roman Empire. The empire ruled over the Jews and made them pay heavy taxes. They still longed for a savior to rescue them and restore their nation. The right time came for God to fulfill his promise and send the Messiah. But first he would send a special messenger to announce Jesus’ coming and get the people ready to accept their Savior.

Luke 1:5-25

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

 ⁵ In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. ⁶ Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. ⁷ But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

 ⁸ Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹ he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

 ¹¹ Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. ¹⁴ He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. ¹⁶ Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

 ¹⁸ Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

 ¹⁹ The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ²⁰ And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”

 ²¹ Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. ²² When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

 ²³ When his time of service was completed, he returned home. ²⁴ After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ²⁵ “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Further Study

JUST THE FACTS

1. Who was Zechariah? What was his wife’s name? (v. 5)
2. Who visited Zechariah in the temple? What was the message? (vv. 11 – 17)
3. What happened to Zechariah? Why? (v. 20)

LET’S TALK

1. Was Zechariah’s inability to speak a punishment or a blessing? Explain.
2. In what way would John “go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah” (v. 17)? Why did the angel compare John to the Old Testament prophet?

WHY THIS MATTERS

God kept the promise he had made to his people through the prophet Isaiah. John was “a voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord’” (Isaiah 40:3). John preached repentance so the people could accept the Good News of Jesus.

POINTS OF INTEREST

1:5 Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were Levites and descendants of Aaron. Only men from the family line of Aaron could be priests. Groups of priests rotated serving in the temple. They presented sacrifices and offerings to God, taught and carried out God’s laws for worship, maintained the temple, lit lamps and burned incense, and talked to God on behalf of the people of Israel. Zechariah was on duty and serving as priest when the angel came to him in the temple.

God gave Micah a message for the people of Israel: in their lifetime their nation would be destroyed. But God also gave Micah a vision of bright hope--with details! Micah predicted an important event in a little town in Judah that would make the town famous.

Micah 5:1-5

A Promised Ruler from Bethlehem

 ¹ Marshal your troops, O city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod.  ² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,  though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”  ³ Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.  ⁴ He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness  will reach to the ends of the earth.  ⁵ And he will be their peace.

Deliverance and Destruction When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.

Further Study: JUST THE FACTS

1. What town was the prophet talking about? (v. 2)
2. What did the prophet say about this small town? (v. 2)
3. What would this ruler be like? (vv. 4 – 5)

LET’S TALK

1. What do you think it means that the ruler over Israel would be one “whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (v. 2)?
2. How has Jesus’ greatness reached to the ends of the earth? Discuss.

WHY THIS MATTERS
Christ existed long before history began. He was present at the creation of the world. Jesus will rule forever as our shepherd, giving us peace and security as our “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). God chose the little town of Bethlehem to be Jesus’ birthplace long before he was born.

POINTS OF INTEREST
5:2 Though Bethlehem was a small town, it had an important place in the history of God’s people. Jacob buried his wife Rachel there (when it was called Ephrath, Genesis 35:19). Ibzan, a judge of Israel, was from this town. So were Boaz, the husband of Ruth, and David, who kept his father’s sheep and was anointed king by Samuel. Modern Bethlehem is a small village of fewer than 10,000 people. The surrounding hillsides abound in figs, almonds, olives and grape vines. The shepherds’ fields are located northeast of the town still today.

Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort for God's People

Luke 1:26-38
The Birth of Jesus Foretold

The historic record of the birth of Christ can be found in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20.

Unlike any other baby, the one born that night in Bethlehem was unique in all of history. He was not created by a human father and mother. He had a heavenly pre-existence (John 1:1-3, 14). He is God, the Son—Creator of the universe (Philippians 2:5-11). This is why Christmas is called the incarnation, a word which means “in the flesh.” In the birth of Jesus, the eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing Creator came to earth in the flesh.

The holiday season is a busy and sometimes rather chaotic time for us. There’s always last minute shopping to do (complete with long lines at the mall); we have to hastily finish up the decorations and replace the lights that inexplicably died while in storage, and, of course, bake 4 dozen snicker-doodles for that winter cookie exchange. But Christmas isn’t just a race to the finish, and you don’t have to get lost in the frenzy. Take a few minutes each day to remember why it is that we celebrate December 25 by taking part in The Christmas Story devotional.

The Christmas Story is a step-by-step guide that leads you through the Biblical story of Jesus’ birth, from beginning to end. It doesn’t just focus on the familiar story of Mary, Joseph, and Bethlehem—it also comprehensively covers the Bible’s references and allusions to the coming of the Messiah. The Bible points to the promised Messiah from the earliest chapters of Genesis to the closing words of Revelation; and so a full understanding of the Christmas story should look not only at Christ’s birth, but at the promises and hopes that led up to it.

We pray that you will  enjoy this.  Three-week series and re-live the first Christmas in copious detail. We will post to our RMCAA blog.  Please Join us as we get ready for the advent of our Lord. We will also Post this information on our Facebook Account!

In Christ!

Fred

RMCAA