Luke 2:8-21

content/bible_journal/luke_2:1-7.md

@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 +++
-title = "Luke 2:1–8"
+title = "Luke 2:1–7"
 date = "2022-10-22"
 +++
 
-### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk2.1-8)
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk2.1-7)
 
 In order to fulfill the prophecy in Micah that the Messiah would be born in
 Bethlehem, Mary needed to travel there. God directed the Roman government to

content/bible_journal/luke_2:8-21.md

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++++
+title = "Luke 2:8–21"
+date = "2022-10-23"
++++
+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk2.8-21)
+
+When shepherds are out with the flock at night, there's usually one reason: to
+be midwives to the ewes. Lambing season is in the spring, so it's beautifully
+poetic that the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world would be born
+at the same time. It also upends the tradition of Christmas being in December,
+but the 25<sup>th</sup> is as good a date as any for celebrating.
+
+Despite caring for the animals used in temple sacrifices, shepherds were not
+regarded highly by the rest of the people. Often ceremonially unclean from
+handling dead animals, and traveling about with the flocks kept them from being
+in a stable community with everyone else. And yet these men are the first to
+receive an invitation from God to see Jesus.
+
+If seeing one angel is often enough to make someone faint, I can't imagine what
+it would be like to see an entire army of them at once. And it is an army;
+that's what "host" means in the Scriptures. Get out of your mind the image of a
+glowing, white-robed, winged blond person. While angels may show up that way
+elsewhere (minus the wings), these angels are arrayed for battle. That makes it
+even more amazing that their message is of peace on the earth with God.
+
+Following the instructions of the first angel, the shepherds are able to find
+Mary and Joseph. That's still kind of amazing, because while Bethlehem isn't a
+large town, it was full to overflowing. A newborn baby in a manger is also not
+something you'd find everyday, but how would you go about searching for him?
+
+Luke likely got this story from Mary, who "treasured up all these things,
+pondering them in her heart." (_v. 19_)
+
+* * *
+
+You raise up the humble, and Your priorities are perfect. Your ways are higher
+than our ways.