Luke 2:1-20

1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 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. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 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.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before 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; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and 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 heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

15 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.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. — NRSV

 

Do you think God commended Emperor Augustus for making his decree at just the right time, or do you think God intervened to make him make this decree? Today, how often do you think God uses secular, unbelieving, leaders to achieve His purposes? Examples?








Even though Mary was bearing the Savior, she had to make a very difficult journey? How can this and other Biblical examples encourage you when you face tough times doing God’s will?
 







Why do you think God thought it important to have His Son born in a stable instead of a king’s palace?








Why do you think God favored the shepherds with an angelic visitation? How would their visit to Joseph and Mary encourage them as they huddled by a manger and their newborn child?







What can you do this week to glorify and praise God for all you have seen, heard, and know regarding the birth of Jesus Christ?







© Copyright 2007 L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. Write: lgp@easybiblelessons.com
Reprints Freely Permitted for Not for Profit private or group Bible Study. Listen to the Parkhurst Bible Study Podcast at www.parkhurstbiblelessons.com.
Additional Bible Studies at www.EasyBibleLessons.com
Uniform Series International Bible Lessons at www.InternationalBibleLessons.com.

Discuss the Bible Lesson with other teachers and students at BibleLessonForum.com

Please do not remove the copyright notice or publish these lessons for profit if you reprint them. To download these Bible Studies as an audio file or podcast to listen to, go to ParkhurstBibleLessons.com.

For newspapers, reprints, or other for profit use, contact:
L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. - lgp@InternationalBibleLessons.com.

Unless otherwise noted the Easy Bible Lessons, the International Bible Lessons and Parkhurst Bible Lessons are copyrighted © 2007 by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. All Rights Reserved. For reprint rights other than noted above contact lgp@InternationalBibleLessons.com. Please do not remove the copyright notice or publish these Bible Lessons for profit if you reprint them. To comment on the Parkhurst Bible Lessons go to the BibleLessonForum.com.  To listen or download them as an audio file or podcast go to ParkhurstBibleLessons.com.