Not-So-Quiet-Time: Luke 2 (Christmas)
At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 12/14
Day 1: Verses 1-7
When Luke tells the birth story, he includes significant detail: the name of the governor, the places, the genealogy. This situates the story in history. This is not a once-upon-a-time story. This is a when-Quirinius-was-governor-of-Syria story. And there is a big difference! Many religions are built on myths, but Christianity is rooted in facts. Why do you think it matters that Jesus’ birth is real history?
Day 2: Verses 8-14
The shepherds weren’t looking for God, but God showed up. We should be thankful that knowing God doesn’t ultimately depend on our ability to find Him, but his ability to find us: He is the one who saves. Thank God for revealing Himself to you and your family.
Day 3: Verses 15-16
The shepherds had to see what the angels had told them about. They needed to respond to the thing “which the Lord has made known to [them]” (2:15). When God speaks about his glorious work, it propels his people into action. The news is so good that we can’t hear it and just sit still. And part of what makes it so good is that it is true. The shepherds investigated and found everything to be just as the angels had said. How does hearing God’s truth—especially in the Bible—propel you into action?
Day 4: Verses 17-18
After the shepherds saw the Messiah, they had to tell the world. They shared the message that the angel had shared with them. This is a great example of what the Christian life looks like: God speaks, we are amazed, we see his awesome work, and we share it with others. We all love to share about amazing things that have happened in our lives, and evangelism is a natural response to the glory of God. Do you love to tell about what God has said and done in your life?
Day 5: Verses 19-21
These verses include a bundle of worshipful actions. Mary remembered—stored up—all that the Lord had done. The shepherds were praising and glorifying God. And Mary and Joseph obeyed God by having their child circumcised and naming Him “Jesus.” Remembering God, praising God, and obeying God. Do these characterize your life? Pray that God would help you respond to Him like Jesus’ parents and like these shepherds.
Catechism Connection: WSC 24, 39, 87
We would never know God if He didn’t show Himself to us: “Christ [reveals] to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation” (WSC 24). And “the duty which God requires of mankind is obedience to his revealed will” (WSC 39).Those who have been made alive live their faith by “purposing and working constantly for a new obedience” (WSC 87). We are called and empowered to obey for our good, our joy, and God’s glory.
Day 1: Verses 1-7
When Luke tells the birth story, he includes significant detail: the name of the governor, the places, the genealogy. This situates the story in history. This is not a once-upon-a-time story. This is a when-Quirinius-was-governor-of-Syria story. And there is a big difference! Many religions are built on myths, but Christianity is rooted in facts. Why do you think it matters that Jesus’ birth is real history?
Day 2: Verses 8-14
The shepherds weren’t looking for God, but God showed up. We should be thankful that knowing God doesn’t ultimately depend on our ability to find Him, but his ability to find us: He is the one who saves. Thank God for revealing Himself to you and your family.
Day 3: Verses 15-16
The shepherds had to see what the angels had told them about. They needed to respond to the thing “which the Lord has made known to [them]” (2:15). When God speaks about his glorious work, it propels his people into action. The news is so good that we can’t hear it and just sit still. And part of what makes it so good is that it is true. The shepherds investigated and found everything to be just as the angels had said. How does hearing God’s truth—especially in the Bible—propel you into action?
Day 4: Verses 17-18
After the shepherds saw the Messiah, they had to tell the world. They shared the message that the angel had shared with them. This is a great example of what the Christian life looks like: God speaks, we are amazed, we see his awesome work, and we share it with others. We all love to share about amazing things that have happened in our lives, and evangelism is a natural response to the glory of God. Do you love to tell about what God has said and done in your life?
Day 5: Verses 19-21
These verses include a bundle of worshipful actions. Mary remembered—stored up—all that the Lord had done. The shepherds were praising and glorifying God. And Mary and Joseph obeyed God by having their child circumcised and naming Him “Jesus.” Remembering God, praising God, and obeying God. Do these characterize your life? Pray that God would help you respond to Him like Jesus’ parents and like these shepherds.
Catechism Connection: WSC 24, 39, 87
We would never know God if He didn’t show Himself to us: “Christ [reveals] to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation” (WSC 24). And “the duty which God requires of mankind is obedience to his revealed will” (WSC 39).Those who have been made alive live their faith by “purposing and working constantly for a new obedience” (WSC 87). We are called and empowered to obey for our good, our joy, and God’s glory.
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