Luke 2:1-21

Butler's Comments

SECTION 1

Portents (Luke 2:1-21)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all 2 the world should be enrolled. 2This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. 7And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; 11for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us. 16And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; 18and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:1-7 Swaddling Cloths: A little under six months passes between Chapter s 1 and 2 of Luke's record. Mary returned to her home in Nazareth after visiting with Elizabeth about 3 months (Luke 1:56). About six months later Mary's time for delivering her first born arrives. Micah the prophet (Luke 5:2) had predicted the Messiah's birth would be in Bethlehem of Judea, but Mary was at her home in Nazareth of Galilee80 or 90 miles apart. God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. Caesar Augustus, emperor of the Roman Empire, made a decree for a world-wide census to be taken. This census evidently required Jews to travel to the hometown of their tribal ancestors; probably because genealogical records and property titles were kept there. Bethlehem was the city of Joseph's ancestors since he was from the lineage of David, (see Ruth 1:10; Ruth 2:4; 1 Samuel 16:1-4; 1 Samuel 17:58, etc.).

Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius, Sept. 23, 63 B.C.) had been adopted by his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, as his heir. Octavian's grandmother, Julia, was the younger sister of Julius Caesar. When his uncle Julius was assassinated, March 15, 44 B.C., Octavian was a young man of 19. By skillful political manipulation of friends and family in high places he was able to become one of the three most powerful men in the empire. At the battle of Actium, Sept. 2, 31 B.C., Octavian defeated Mark Antony his only remaining rival to complete political control of the empire. Octavian pretended at first that he wished the republican form of government to be restored. He kept certain formalities of the republic outwardly and at first declined the titles rex (king) and dictator. By adoption he had the famous name Caesar and after his victory over Antony the Roman Senate declared him Augustus. He soon consolidated all the power of rule into his hands and became in fact, Emperor, He reigned until his death in A.D. 14. Augustus married Livia Drusilla in 38 B.C. She had previously been married to her cousin Tiberius Claudius Nero but Augustus compelled her to divorce her husband and marry him. She and Augustus had no children but Livia had a son, Tiberius, by her first husband. Livia was noted for her beauty and powerful political influenceeven over Augustus. Some historians believe Livia poisoned her emperor-husband so that her son, Tiberius, could become emperor.

The reign of Augustus, and especially the census mentioned by Luke is one of the critical points relating to the historical accuracy of this Gospel. If Luke is inaccurate about this census in the reign of Augustus, then his entire record is suspect. For a long time enemies of the Bible pointed to this enrollment as an example of its inaccuracies, for there were no Roman records to substantiate Luke's claim that a worldwide census took place in the days of Augustus. However, Sir William Ramsay (and others) investigated and found that Clement of Alexandria (200-300 A.D.) made reference to such a system of enrollment in the Roman empire. Recent archaeological discoveries have remarkably confirmed and illuminated Luke's record, attesting his reliability in detail: (1) a number of papyrus documents have been discovered showing that a census was made every 14 years and also pointing back to one taken about 9-6 B.C. Josephus shows that these enrollments (one in 6 A.D. specifically) often caused rebellious uprisings in Palestine and that Jewish rulers often delayed carrying out these orders of Rome as long as they could in order to placate the people. The census ordered 9-6 B.C. in Syria was undoubtedly delayed by Herod in Palestine until 5-4 B.C. and so Luke's accuracy is verified, (2) early historical records seemed to show that Quirinius (Cyrenius) was governor of Syria in 6 A.D., 10 years too late for the birth of Christ. However, an inscription was found in Rome in 1828 by archaeologists indicating that Quirinius was also governor in Syria in 10-7 B.C. Ramsay found a monument in Asia Minor which confirmed the discovery in Rome, so Quirinius was twice governor in Syria and he was occupying this office when Augustus ordered the first enrollment, which is exactly what Luke says, (3) and last, historians found an edict made in 104 A.D. by the governor of Egypt (which was under the Roman rule just like Palestine) which showed that at the time of the census people were to return to their ancestral homes. Luke's gospel record is accurate in minute detail! The critics are wrong!

G. Campbell Morgan focuses on the apparent insignificance of these two peasants, Joseph and Mary, down in a remote and despised corner of the Roman Empire bending their necks to the decree of the great and powerful Augustus. Two individuals amid the massed millions of the Roman world, as unknown to Caesar as you and I to the rich, powerful and famous today. But things are oftentimes not what they seem. Look at this scene from God's perspective through Luke's record. Look at Maryher womb is the residence of the Son of God as she travels. Look at the edict of Augustuswas it really the only sovereign edict being fulfilled? Almost 700 years before Augustus, the sovereign Creator decreed that His Son would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Morgan writes, When I read that (prophecy), uttered six hundred and fifty years before these events, I see that the really insignificant person in the drama is the little puppet in the city on the seven hills, called Caesar Augustus; and the significant personalities are the woman in whose womb tabernacles the Son of God, and the man who is guarding her.

While in Bethlehem, Mary delivered the Child conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit and she wrapped Him in swaddling cloths. Swaddling is from the Hebrew word chethullah and the Greek word sparganoo. These are bands of cloth in which new born babies were wrapped (cf. Ezekiel 16:4; Job 38:9; Ezekiel 30:21bandages). The child was placed diagonally on a square piece of cloth which was folded over the infant's feet and sides. Around this bundle swaddling bands were wound. The idea that the word sparganoo means rags is without foundation.

The Greek word for hotel (as we think of it) is pandocheion, but that is not the word Luke uses for inn. That word is kataluma which was merely an enclosure, just walls into which travellers might drive their cattle for the night, and in which sometimes there were apartments where the travellers themselves might rest; but no traveller could obtain food there. There was water, always water, but no food, no host, no entertainment. There was no room even there for Mary and Joseph. So Jesus was literally born in some shed or lean-to where only cattle were tethered. His crib was a phatne (manger), a feeding-trough for animals. What humiliating pathos! The Lord of All That Is, born in a smelly, insect-infested barn!

Someone has observed that most of us have inherited a Christmas story purged of some of its uglies and transformed and beautified by the Christian traditions surrounding it rather than having seen it according to the facts. Note the following:

a.

A poor, pregnant, unmarried (virgin) woman of Nazareth

b.

rode and/or walked 60-70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem while in the last stages of pregnancy;

c.

had her baby delivered in a smelly, unsanitary barn

d.

without doctors, anesthesia, nurses or midwives; in fact, with only her husband present.

e.

There was no baked-turkey and dressing, carols, tinsel, or family reunion at this first Christmas.

f.

First visitors were rough, smelly shepherds who had been out in the fields for weeks with their flocks.

g.

Forty days later an old man in the Temple predicted dark, ominous words about the baby.

Our tendency at Christmas time is to take away all these uglies so believing in Christmas becomes the easist thing in the world. All that is asked is that we accept a beautiful and touching story as it is presented in carols, nativity dolls, and pageants. It is easy for most of the world to get misty-eyed over a sweet little baby surrounded by so much glitter. Everyone sees himself as a believer at Christmas time. Perhaps the real Christmas event was filled with uglies just so serious-minded men would have to grapple with it and agonize over itand in the very process of that grappling have their faith tested, exercised, strung taut, and made strong.

The question always arises, When was Jesus bornwhat day is really Christmas? In the first place, Christmas (the birth of Christ) apparently was not celebrated by the first century church. There is no record in the N.T. of Christians making the birth of Christ a special day of worship or celebration. About the earliest Christian celebration of Christmas is the order of Bishop Liberius of Rome in 354 A.D. that December 25th should be celebrated as Christ's birthday. It is, of course, impossible to determine the precise day of Jesus-' birth. The exact date is not essential to any man's salvation. (See Romans 14:1-23; Colossians 2:16-23.) However, with all the data available, it may be said with historical accuracy that Jesus was born sometime between December, 5 B.C. and January, 4 B.C. The birth dates of some moderns cannot be determined as accurately! The chart on the next page summarizes the cumulative historical data upon which we base our conclusion. But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons, (Galatians 4:4-5).

Luke 2:8-14 Seraphim: Actually the Hebrew word seraphim is found only once in the Bible (Isaiah 6:2 ff). The Greek word used by Luke here is aggelos, transliterated angel, meaning literally, messenger. Angels are created beings, essentially spiritual and invisible, given powers that transcend the natural order of creation, and sometimes they are sent by the Creator in forms visible to men to carry the Creator's messages. Angels have intellectual and moral capacities. Some chose at one time or another to disobey their Creator's will and were cast out of His presence (cf. 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6). Although angels are said to continue to minister to the saved (Hebrews 1:4), God does not now speak to men through angels (Galatians 1:8-12; Hebrews 1:1-4; Acts 9:5) as to what to do to be saved. (See the author's Special Study on angels in Daniel, pg. 386-403, pub. College Press.)

An angel prophesied the conception and birth of Christ; an angel named Him, Jesus; angels heralded His birth to shepherds; angels directed Joseph about the Child's safety; angels ministered to Christ after His temptation; an angel strengthened Christ after His agony in Gethsemane; angels were witnesses and messengers of His resurrection; angels attended Him at His ascension; and angels will attend Him at His Second Coming.
After the angel's message was delivered to the shepherds, there appeared suddenly a plethos stratias ouraniou, that is, a multitudinous army from heaven. The Greek word stratias is translated host and is related to the word stratiotes which is translated soldier in Matthew 8:9; Matthew 27:27, etc. The Hebrew for heavenly host is tzeva hashamayim and denotes sometimes stars (Deuteronomy 4:19; Deuteronomy 17:3, etc.) and sometimes angels (1 Kings 22:19; 2 Chronicles 18:18; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalms 103:21, etc.). God's word does not tell us how many angels exist. Jesus said he could call for more than twelve legions to aid Him (Matthew 26:53) and a Roman army legion contained approximately 6000 men. John saw (muriades muriadon) myriads of myriads of angels and other beings around the throne of God (Revelation 5:11). We do not know how many heavenly beings appeared with the angel to the shepherds. Luke uses the word plethos which simply means a multitude.

The glory (doxa) of the Creator, in one degree or another, usually accompanied angels when they appeared to men. This glory often caused men to be overcome with fear (cf. Isaiah 6:1 ff; Daniel 10:2-21; Revelation 22:8-9). When the glory of the Lord surrounded these shepherds they feared a great fear (ephobethesan phobon megan). This glorious creature from heaven did not hover over the shepherds, but came near and stood right by them (epeste autois). God announced other births by angelic messengers but only the birth of His Son was praised by the angelic army. The point of the angelic appearance to the shepherds does not have to do with the glory or the number of the angels themselves, but the glory of the One whose birth they announce and praise. Glory in Hebrew means heavy, or abundance.

Angels were sometimes messengers of bad news and sometimes messengers of good news. This angel had a message (euaggelizomai) of good news; the same Greek word is also translated evangelize. To evangelize is simply to announce with compassion and persuasion the good news concerning Christ and let men decide their own response. The angel's announcement is the gospel in miniature: (1) to man is born the Anointed Savior (atonement); (2) He is Lord (incarnation); (3) joy to all people (reconciliation).

Why did God send His messenger to shepherds? Why not tell the theologians and politicians first about the birth of the Messiah? Most of the theologians and politicians would be emotionally, intellectually and morally opposed to such a Messiah. No amount of supernatural signs and angelic announcements would bring Herod or the Pharisees to a cattle-shed to worship a baby whose crib was a cattle-trough! These shepherds had learned from the hard and humble life they lived to guard against the pride and arrogance that causes men to deny reality. When they were visited by an angel and an army of heavenly beings, they were honest-minded enough to realize God had spoken and they should respond with obedience to the divine message.

The shepherds were told how to recognize the Anointed BabyHe would be newly-born (wrapped in swaddling), His birthplace would be an animal-stall and His crib a manger. This would be unique! How many newly-born babies in Bethlehem would be lying in an animal feed-trough? This sign was not to convince the shepherds of the deity of the Babyit was simply a sign by which they might find the one baby out of all the others that might be in Bethlehem that night. The appearance of the angel and the acclamation of the heavenly host proved the supernatural character of the Child.
The heavenly host praised God. The Greek phrase is, ainounton ton teon kai legonton. The verb ainounton is related to the noun ainos which means primarily a tale, narration, spoken praise. The word legonton is from lego which means, to speak, to say. We usually think of the heavenly host singing praise to God here, but this was definitely a verse choir. There are three Greek words which mean to praise God through singing (ado, psallo, humano) but none of these words are used by Luke here. Perhaps, as with so much modern church music, the impact of the message the host spoke might have been lost had it been submilated to the tune and the rhythm, so the heavenly host was really a verse choir. A dramatic technique known as choral speaking was employed by the Greeks hundreds of years before Christ. It is sometimes referred to as choric reading or verse choir and when such a group stood and spoke as one compelling voice, with shades of meaning and color that not even music commanded, its audience was totally captured!

The host said: Glory in the highest places to God, and upon earth, peace in men of good will. The KJV translates, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The earliest and best Greek manuscripts indicate the former rendering to be more accurate. The peace of God is promised to men through their good-willed response to The Savior. Robertson translates the phrase, among men in whom He is well pleased. The will of man must be good in its relationship to God's will if man expects to have true peace. The angelic message has been saturated with a mushy humanism proclaimed profusely once a year in Christmas cards and songs: If there is good will among men on earth, there will be peace. Humanism refuses to accept the truth that there can be true good will from man to man only when men are first good-willed toward God.

Luke 2:15-21 Shepherds: The angel and the host returned to heaven. The shepherds decided among themselves to go to Bethlehem to verify the announcement of the angels. Bethlehem, the town where the Bread of Life came to earth, is a Hebrew name meaning House of bread. The English versions represent the shepherds as saying, Let us go see the thing... The word translated thing is rhema in Greek and literally means, word. The shepherds said, Let us go see the word ... All they had so far was the angel's word that a Savior had been born. They quickly decided they would all go see if these words had really happened! They hurried (speusantes, hastening) to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph and the baby wrapped in swaddling lying in a feed-trough, just as the angel had said. They told Mary and Joseph about the angel standing by their side, the message he gave them about the Child, the message of the heavenly verse choir and their hurried and excited trip to Bethlehem to find them. These shepherds were so impressed with the literal, physical encounter they had with the supernatural and with its meaning concerning the Child in Bethlehem, they told everyone they met about it all. Those who heard the story of the shepherds marveled (ethaumasan) but apparently were not interested enough themselves to go to the inn and see the Child. At least Luke does not record any other visitors to the Bethlehem cattle-shed. Perhaps the shepherd's story seemed rather far-fetched to everyone who heard it. After alla Savior and Lord born in a cattle-shed?!

Mary did not go about telling all the wonderful, supernatural things she knew about her baby boy. She hid them in her heart (suneterei means an intense, protective keeping), and set each event and thing she knew about Him side by side in her mind so she could compare (sumballousa, ponder) one with the other. While a number of people were given momentary glimpses of the wonderful nature of the Child, Mary gathered all the glimpses comparing them and keeping her thoughts about them all to herself. Any other course of action would most certainly have endangered the life of Jesus long before the time God had appointed for Him to begin His public ministry. Apparently, Mary was also aware of the danger to her baby boy should she make a determined effort to publicize all the things she knew about Him.

The shepherds returned to their flocks speaking praises (ainountes) to God for the supernatural, heavenly things they had seen and heard. Eight days later, Mary and Joseph performed the God-ordained rite of circumcision on the baby Jesus (see comments on Luke 1:59). Circumcision took place in the home where the baby was born. It was at this time the Hebrew child was given a name. Mary's Child had already been given a name from heaven (Matthew 1:21), Jesus, or Yeshua in Hebrew, which means, The Lord Saves.

STUDY STIMULATORS:

1.

What was the most significant event that occurred in the reign of Caesar Augustus? Are there things happening right now known only by Christians which are more important than headline news events? What are they?

2.

Can Luke's historical accuracy be verified or must we accept the accusations of destructive critics that we can now know almost nothing concerning the life and personality of Jesus?

3.

What do you think and feel when you learn that the Lord of Glory was born in a barn?

4.

Do you think all the importance placed on Christmas coincides with what the N.T. teaches about observing it? What does the N.T. teach about it?

5.

Can you suggest ways Christians might enter more into the spirit of Christmas than is currently done?

6.

When was Christ born? Does it make any difference?

7.

What is an angel? Would you know one if you saw it?

8.

God's choice of shepherds to receive the angel and the heavenly host is not the way man would have announced to the world the birth of God in the flesh. How would man have done it? Why didn-'t God do it that way?

9.

Why doesn-'t the Christmas cliche, Peace on earth, good will toward men, carry through in other seasons of the year?

10.

Would you have kept all these wonderful things about the baby Jesus secretly in your heart as Mary did, had you been Mary or Joseph?

Applebury's Comments

The Birth of Jesus
Scripture

Luke 2:1-21 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrolment made when Quinrinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to enroll themselves, every one to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. 6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she 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 shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: 11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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,

And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.

15

And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18 And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

Comments

a decree from Caesar.By order of the Roman Emperor all the people of the world who came under his authority were to be enrolled. It was a combined census and assessment with taxation as an important part of it.

Augustus reigned from 30 B. C. to 14 A. D. Historians point out that his reign was characterized by peace that extended to almost all parts of the world. But the most significant event that occurred during his reign, which was little noticed by the Romans at the time, was the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Luke shows himself as a reliable historian reporting two of the most important events of the first century, the life of Christ and the history of His church.

to the city of David.The decree required each man to go to the city of his own family. In Joseph's case, it was necessary to go to Bethlehem, the city of David, for he was of the house and family of David.

The prophecy of Micah who lived some 700 years before the birth of Christ says that He was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:5-6). Now the kingdom of Rome was only in its infancy when Micah prophesied. How could Micah foresee the day when the mighty Caesar would be able to issue a decree that would cause Joseph to leave his home in Nazareth and with Mary his wife go to Bethlehem that her child might be born in the city of David? The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophet!

Joseph was fully aware of the responsibility he had assumed under the direction of the Lord (Matthew 1:20-25). He took Mary with him because he was aware of the nearness of the birth of the Child.

her firstborn son.Jesus was the first child born to Mary. Firstborn does not necessarily imply that she gave birth to other children, but Matthew's statement about the relation of Joseph and Mary after the birth of Jesus does indicate clearly that they had other children. The names of Jesus-' brothers are given in Matthew 13:55-56. His sisters are referred to in the same passage. Paul mentions James the Lord's brother whom he visited in Jerusalem (Galatians 1:19).

and laid him in a manger.In simple language, Luke related the humble circumstances of the birth of the Savior. There was no room for them in the inn. The crowded condition of the city at the time of the enrollment made it necessary for Joseph to find quarters wherever possible. The fact that there was no place in the inn for them does not suggest that Bethlehem was rejecting the Christ. They who were His own people did later by deliberate action reject Him before Pilate and cry out for Him to be crucified. God held them accountable for that terrible deed (Acts 2:22-24), but not for any discourtesy which some assume was shown by the innkeeper to Mary and Joseph.

shepherds in the same country.Humble shepherds were the first to hear about the birth of the Savior. But later, as Matthew relates, wise men came to see the new-born King and to worship Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and murrh.

an angel of the Lord.Angels announced the birth of the Lord to the shepherds. They ministered to Him after the temptation and in the Garden of Gethsemane. They were present at His resurrection and ascension. They will be with Him when He comes again. They are ministering spirits sent forth to do service for the sake of them who shall inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14), but they were never permitted to tell a sinner what to do to be saved. That message must be told by men.

I bring you good tidings.The good news about the Savior is still the most thrilling message that can be given to the lost sinner. Luke is careful throughout his story of Jesus to set Him forth in His wonderful role as Savior.

Christ the Lord.Christ or Messiah refers to His office as prophet, priest, and king. What does Lord mean? On the Day of Pentecost, Peter declared that God had made His both Lord and Christ, that is, this Jesus whom they had crucified and whom God had raised from the dead. Jews had long been used to pronouncing the word Lord when they read the word Jehovah (more properly YAHVEH) in the Old Testament Scriptures. When the Hebrew Scriptures were translated into Greek about 250 B. C., this Hebrew word Yahveh was translated Lord. Jews were familiar with that translation in the days of Jesus and the apostles. When they heard Peter say that Jesus is Lord, they must have understood him to say that Jesus is the eternal living God. Luke has presented evidence of His deity in the facts about His birth and does not hesitate to tell Theophilus that He is the Son of God as well as the Son of Man. His authority is upheld in the word Christ for He is not only prophet, and priest, but also KING.

the sign unto you.The angel gave the shepherds the sign which they could investigate and know that the child they found in the manger was the Christ.

on earth peace.This is not merely the cessation of wars among men. It refers primarily to the peace that should exist between men and God, for sinful man in reality is at war with God. Peace may be had only by accepting the terms dictated by the Prince of Peace. See Acts 10:36; Acts 11:18; Acts 2:36-39. Peace is possible through the blood of Christ. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Much more then, being justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through him. For it, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life (Romans 5:9-10). Enmity was destroyed and peace made possible at the cross (Ephesians 2:15-16). God's peace that passes understanding guards the hearts and thoughts of those who have been reconciled to Him through Christ (Philippians 4:6-7). And this becomes the real foundation upon which peace between men on earth can be built (Isaiah 2:2-4).

men in whom he is well pleased.Commentators differ as to the meaning and rendering of this text. It probably should be rendered, men of good will, But what does that mean? To say that it means men who are well disposed toward one another is to ignore the fact that the angels spoke of God's favor toward men in sending them the Savior, Christ the Lord. God is well disposed toward men, for although all have sinned and have fallen short of His approval He has provided the means of blotting out their sins and reconciling them to Himself. This in no way implies that He was pleased with their sins, but He was pleased to grant to them an opportunity to repent (Acts 11:18).

and the babe lying in a manger.The shepherds went to Bethlehem on the day of His birth and found the babe lying in a manger. But when the wise men arrived in Bethlehem they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother (Matthew 1:11). This suggests that their visit was at a later date and that Joseph had found a house for his family, for they were no longer in the temporary quarters which they occupied when there was no place for them in the inn.

Mary kept all these things.The memories of Mary the mother of Jesus were filled with those things about Him. She remembered the words of the angel as he told of the Child who was to be born. At the time she thought about the meaning of the heavenly message. And when the shepherds came telling her of the angel who spoke of the birth of the Savior who is Christ the Lord, Mary kept these things in her heart pondering their significance. And the words He spoke to her when He was twelve years old were also added to the memories she had kept in her heart. In all probability she did not fully understand them until that day when she stood at the foot of His cross and heard Him say, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. At least, we know that she was with that little company of believers after the resurrection of Christ (Acts 1:14).

Did Luke learn of Mary's memories from her? He does not say. He could haveassuming that she was still alive when he was checking every detail of this gospel story. They could have been given to him directly by the Holy Spirit.

when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him.Circumcision was given originally to Abraham and later to the Jews (John 7:22). Since Jesus was born under the law, His parents complied with its requirements.

His name was called JESUS.Both Mary and Joseph had been informed that they were to call His name JESUS. There was no problem about it as there had been with the relatives when John was named.