Advent Challenge Day 2

Luke Chapter 2

In this chapter we concentrate on Jesus’ birth. Mary and Joseph head to Bethlehem to register for the census, and while they are there, Mary gives birth. There were no luxuries for Mary – no bed, no hospital, no doctors, not even a bed for her son. While Luke doesn’t tell us of the wise men, he tells us about the shepherds and the angels heralding a new age, bringing greetings of peace to all humanity.

When his parents took Jesus to the temple, Simeon recognised him immediately, and uttered the words that we now call “Nunc Dimittis”, but more importantly words to foretell his future role as judge to the nation of Israel. The prophetess Anna also recognised the child and told everyone that the longed-for Messiah was now born.

As this chapter concludes, we have the only story of Jesus as a young adult, coming with his parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. As a twelve year old boy, he would be left behind in Jerusalem, only for his family to find him on the third day – foreshadowing his death in years to come, abandoned by all, and found again by his new “family” on the third day.

Mary is keenly aware of all that has ever been said about her son, and keeps the words in her heart – knowing that one day all the prophecies would bring a ”sword to her heart”.

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