What is a book you’ve read again and again? Or perhaps a movie you’ve seen more times than you can count? Or a song you’ve had on repeat for years? Though I’ve read the words of my favorite book or watched the same scene of my favorite movie a dozen times, I often react to it differently depending on the day I’ve had or the season of life I’m in. I may feel a lot of emotion, or I may feel inspired. Other times, I may simply want to listen, watch, and savor the story. Let the words and notes sink in.
Something I love about Luke’s narrative of Christ’s birth is the array of responses from those who witnessed the Messiah, either at His birth or soon after. From awe to silence to praising God, I think we can learn as much about the significance of the incarnation from these responses as we can from the details of the birth itself.
Mary’s response to her son’s birth is quiet and contemplative. While the shepherds, after meeting Jesus, ran off and told everyone about what they had seen, Scripture says, “Mary was treasuring up all the things in her heart and meditating on them” (Luke 2:19). She savored the moment, holding it near to her, letting it sink into her heart and mind.
Simeon, the righteous servant of the Lord, responded to meeting the Messiah by praising God and declaring the mighty works Jesus would do. As he tells Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel” (v.34).
Then there is Anna, the prophetess. Her response to the Messiah’s arrival was gratitude and, like the shepherds’, to spread the good news: “At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (v.38).
Jesus’s birth evoked silent awe, praise, gratitude, and the need to tell everyone about it.
Most likely, the story of Jesus’s birth is not new for you. You’ve probably read it or heard it told again and again. But I wonder, what is it evoking in you today? Awe, joy, gratitude, praise? Do you want to shout about it from the rooftops like Anna, or do you want to be still and treasure it in your heart, as Mary did? Though our responses will vary, we are united by the reason behind the coming of the Messiah.
“God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4–5).
We are redeemed. We are adopted. We are a part of God’s family. No matter what kind of day you are having or what sort of season you are in—quiet and contemplative or loud and joyful—let the story of Christ’s birth remind you of these truths today.
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107 thoughts on "The Birth of Jesus"
i love how it says twice that mary treasured these things!
One more
great day
One more time
New one
Jesus said why are you looking for me? Didn’t you know? Didn’t you know I would be in the house of my father? This spoke to me because no matter what season…we are welcome in the house of our father. We need to reside there. I hear Jesus saying it as a young boy..”mom like hello! Obviously I would be in the house of my father? Like duh!!” I think we all can have this attitude because “like duh!!!” Where else do we belong? We belong in the house of our father and he welcomes us with open arms
I never knew the parts about Simeon and Anna. That’s very interesting to me. Like you Chance, I’m trying to just slow down and treasure my days. It’s so amazing! I imagine the pain Mary must have felt for her son, but at the same time the pride in knowing who she was raising. Amazing woman of God!
Andrea Lucado… I have to respond to the favorite book! Retired after 24 years working in Christian retail, my favorite book is “In The Eye Of The Storm” by Max Lucado (1991)… I have read it many times and especially love Chippie the parakeet… Our God Almighty loves so powerfully that He can bring out the glory in any situation… Thank you for following in your Max’s footsteps
(V49) “And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
I’m not sure what it is about this verse but it brings me to tears. Mary and Joseph were in a panic looking for their young son, which as parents I can understand where they’re coming from. But they also forgot who God told him their son was. For me this was a subtle reminder from Jesus that when I’m in a panic and searching for God’s voice/ guidance, I can always find him in his father’s house. Additionally it reminded me that even Mary and Joseph forgot who they were told their son was too but it makes them all the more human that even they worried.
This is a classic story that I have heard since I was a child, but I read it from a different perspective today. As a new believer, I can relate and feel the anticipation of the coming promised Son who would set the world free. What a beautiful, living story that has instilled hope for generations after.
Jesus is the “promised one” and so many promises came to life in this chapter. So many people waiting for the coming baby — it was amazing to read and to imagine the joy and awe that the people would’ve been experiencing.
Mary lives in the moment and treasures it. I want to slow down and listen to God and live and savour every moment of life in him. I think today the story of Jesus’s birth is evoking gratitude.
As I sit here, as a mother, of someone who is struggling so hard, I couldn’t help but relate to Mary. It doesn’t matter how many times we go through things and try to take that wisdom into parenthood at some point we all struggle to understand our children. What a reminder today that even Mary felt this.
The struggle is real! I have four kids.. each unique.. each and individual. I get frustrated trying to know how to approach each and give each what they need but I’m reminded that God gave them what they need.. himself.. and I just need to situate them to receive it.
After joining a new church this fall, I feel a sense of “home” when I attend just like Jesus felt he was in his Father’s home. So grateful and blessed to have found my home church!
I respond to this with joy rejoicing in the marvellous gift that is Christ’s birth
Family! Part of God’s family! It’s so hard to envisage what that will actually look like when my own is so broken. Emotionally abusive father and sisters who are much like him, leaves my mum and I feeling like we are the only ones left with no one else we can trust. My greatest fear is my own children growing up and repeating history! Somedays I cling to the promise of God’s family and the dream of what that looks like, others I’m too scared to hope because of what family actually looks like in reality
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Thankful.
This evokes awe in me. As some of you were saying it’s interesting how Mary and Joseph responded to the words spoken about Jesus. May we all have great faith this year. “ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
So thankful he gave his one and only son! God is so so good!
As a Christian, I believe it is just commonplace for everyone to have read or at least know the story of Christ and his conception and birth. It is a story told over again and for good reason. We should always be reminded of the miraculous day that our Savior came to our world, unblemished and without sin. He was received by his mother with reverence and to the shepherds, complete awe.
I feel more like Mary today though, more reflective and treasuring the memories and moments as they unfold before me. Some days I want to scream it from the top of the roof how much I love Christ! This daily reflection gives me pause to my busy day to be reminded of how God gave us Jesus to die for our sins so that one day we may live eternally with him.
Some days it’s hard to believe that God’s compassion and love has carried through for us for such a promise. We must always keep the faith that Christ is our savior and that without Him, we would perish and be in Hell for eternity. Leaning on Christ and having that relationship with Him only strengthens the tether of our lifeline to the holy one.
Yes, quiet and contemplative, that is where I am. Sometimes I compare myself to others and I think I need to act like they are, otherwise I’m not getting it right. I am allowed to be me and react depending on where I’m at in my life and it it is all good and right and OK – especially with my God. Freedom to be me. What I needed to hear today
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Reading this story again today, evoked a warmth in me. Like a mom reading a bedtime story to he child. I feel God’s arms around me telling me His story and I feel so much peace.
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Hearing the story of Jesus’ birth this time made me respond in “silent awe”. Sometimes a story, movie, song, etc. that is played repeatedly can often times make one dismiss the meaning behind such a story, but I pray that as we repeatedly hear the story of Jesus’ birth that it may evoke an emotion of: awe, praise, gratitude, etc. That we may not dismiss the wonder of who He is, how He came to be, and why He saved us from our sins.
The detail in Mary’s response really gets to me. Especially in a world as busy as today that is filled with distractions… the fact she takes a moment to meditate and take it all in reminds me to savor. I give thanks for Jesus’ birth, but I want to savor this moment, and many others in 2019, instead of living distracted.
My pastor talked about this very same thing and how those of us who know this passage by heart can read it but our minds are somewhere else thinking about our to do list. One thing he encouraged us to do is read this passage in a different translation one that you dont normally read from. I read this in the Message translation again and it seems silly but it sounded like a whole different story! It reminded me of the awe and wonder that they all must have been feeling when jesus was birn!
Today, reading this evoked awe in me. I’ve been a Christian for years, but never before have I stopped to wonder at how amazing Jesus was- fully God and fully human. Wow. He knew his Heavenly Father so intimately, as one would know their earthly father. It is amazing to think about how tenderly the Lord must’ve loved Jesus as a little child.
It is so striking to me how simple the words of the Bible are sometimes. The whole culmination of Mary’s virgin birth of the Savior of the world in a manger is in one verse. I read that verse though and I am in awe. I think rereading this repeated story once more, has made me relate to Mary in that I hope to store these treasures in my heart- the simple, Earth creating, merciful truths that Jesus was born unto Mary as our Savior. I am so thankful for this reminder of what He did for us and I hope to have this greatest treasure always stored in my heart.
Over and over again Mary treasures things in her heart. That has really struck me for the past few years. I want to be slow to speak and quick to treasure this year.
Same here <3
I love the way you put this. Me too!
Sitting here at St Kohn Chrsystom church in Ingelwoid. They still are decorated fir Christmas. I’m sitting here in front of the Manager. Seeing t Mary n Joseph and the awh of their new born baby. Then the shepherd.and what they must be thinking. A society that doesn’t trust them, being trusted with the first announcement, by an angel, of our Saviors birth! I could only imagine what that must have been like. The sights, the smells, the sounds!! WOW!
I couldn’t help but notice that time mattered in the way God does His things . Even from the 1st chapter . So I was just pondering over it . Thank you for articulating it beautifully and clearly.
I felt the Holy Spirit giving me caution about how I use my time because clearly it matters .
I was struck with the end of the story when Mary and Joseph searched for Jesus only to find him in the temple. It says that they didn’t understand what he said to them. I’ve wondered how much Mary and Joseph understood about Jesus and I guess I assumed that they were imparted with that knowledge.
It appears that they were to have faith that Jesus is the Son of God and not have all of their questions answered. It gives me hope that even though I don’t understand everything I can still accept and believe and walk in obedience.
Lisa, I too wish I could feel more apart of the story, but we are not to trust in feelings. Our feelings are not a measure of God’s reality. He wants us to trust Him even though we can’t see with our eyes.
Can you imagine their stress in “losing” Jesus, but then finding him with teachers.
I was struck by this part. I guess i never really read these verses about Jesus staying behind. As a mother myself, I can only imagine the difficulty Mary must have had wanting to love and nurture her child and being so worried when she realized her wasnt traveling with them. Then the hear her son say whay he did. I just wonder if she ever struggled emotionally knowing that she couldn’t fully understand her son, and that he was Jesus, our savior.
This also spoke to me today. ❤️
The older I get, the more I can identify with the peaceful quiet countenance of Mary. With so much excitement over the birth of Jesus,she chose to sit back and take it in, observing and relishing in what God had given her and the world.
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I feel like Mary’s response was very motherly. I can picture her today, writing everything down- Jesus, her 1stborn son’s weight, height, her experiences, how she felt…. I love her response. Quiet contemplation & worship.
Today, reading this story for the millionth time, I love that I am seeing and noticing new things…mostly because I’ve been seeing everyone as real people, not just “characters” in a thousands of years old story. It is all so amazing, even this time!
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I am making my New Years resolution one word: FAITH. I want to have faith in God, by trusting that what he says is true. I want to have faith that God knows and can do everything, so that I have nothing to fear. And I want to have the faith to spread the Good News much like Anna in this passage. I am so thankful for all I received last year, and look forward to this new year of faith!!
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Faithful is our God! The birth of Jesus reminds us to stand steadfast in the promises He has made to us.
Simeon and Anna both faithful servants received reward. Not only were they able to meet the Messiah, God afford them the opportunity to see His promise fulfilled.
On another note, Mary’s response “treasuring up” everything and “pondering” them in her heart…awe inspiring! It is a reminder to slow down and appreciate every moment with our love ones, especially our children, because life is precious and a series of moments that we can’t get back.
“19But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. “
I know when my children were newborns, I spent a lot of time just staring at them, reveling in the wonderful gift God gave to me. I love how Mary’s reactions are written for us; she’s just being a mom, even if it is to the son of God. I want to make a more conscious effort to treasure things in my heart this year.
My personal response today is: silence and awe of the magnitude of what God did sending His Son that we may be adopted as sons and daughters. Just allowing that in its self to marinate! humbled by grace.
…my response as well! ❤️
Thank you, Churchmouse, for your comments about the passage of time.
We are certainly bound by time but, hallelujah our Lord is not. What comfort I find in this today.
Thank you.
Happy New Year to all of you my sisters in Christ. I pray for all of us that God, Christ and the Holy Spirit be with us through this coming year. I pray that the Lord watch over all of us and keep us and guide us in His ways, though we may not know what they are, because the Lord’s ways is the best ways. Lastly I pray that we may continue to walk in the Christian way of life and spread the word whether by our actions, our words or our way of life. May the Lord bless all of us and our family and help us to guide those lost to Him. Amen.
Loud and joyful is how I want to respond to Jesus, so that all near might know His Good News. But I am too frequently quiet when I should speak up. Hope 2019 brings the freedom to trust Him to know when the time is right for loud and when quiet is best. Also hope in 2019 to build a life centered around Jesus and home rather than work. Work can be a lonely place even surrounded by others.
Mary’s quiet contemplation, treasuring these moments….I will be reflecting on this today, as that verse has never struck me as heavy before as it has today. ♥️
I am redeemed! I am adopted! I am part of God’s Family! No matter what day I’m having or what season I’m am HIS! My Jesus! My redeemer! My Savior! That is truth!
Happy New Years to all of you my sisters here at She Reads Truth! I am blessed to have ALL OF YOU. I look forward to meeting with all of you every morning.
Treasuring it in her heart. I like that.
Such a great reminder. His story is relevant everyday, but just one day a year. He was born for me (vs 11) and I’m beyond wanted and loved.
As a mother to two small children, I can only imagine the overwhelming joy, love and awe that Mary had for Jesus. What precious moments to soak in. The birth of our Savior!
Happy new year!
Well my nephew arrived yesterday at 9.42pm weighing a wapping 8lbs 14.5oz…
We had been waiting for him for 4 days since we heard my sister in law had gone into labour..!
We waited first with joy filled anticipation.. then there was worry because there was no news for what seemed like forever… day3 had us concerned and before he arrived we had fear.. we were afraid to call my brother just in case…
The message of little guys safe arrival was the best news and meant that we could see the new year in with him added to our family… he is a great gift for our family…
But God..
What gift He gave us in Jesus.. what gift He gave us at the right time to bring us, each and every one, Hope..
I am absolutely going to rejoice in this gift of Jesus who came as a baby but whose life was given for me.. Thank you God.. Thank you for the gift of your Son…
Amen..
Happy New year to you and yours my sisters.. with blessing overflowing.. xxhugs..
Kelly, thank you so much for sharing this. Pulled on my heart strings, and showed me something new.
Thank you for personalizing this, Steph. I have a really hard time remembering these words and truth are just as much for me as they were for them.
Beautifully written.
Feeling a butterfly buzz after reading the scripture today. God allowed me to read it with fresh eyes and it’s been a long, long time since I’ve done that. Praise!
I was struck by the response of the shepherds—terror, wonder, worship. And I asked the question, “Why do we so often live in terror when we could be living in worship?” When the glory of God is displayed, there should be terror—we’re becoming a part of something sacred, holy, and so far above us. The glory of God is a complete unknown to us until we enter into relationship with Him and hear His words to us. And once we have heard His words, she should lean forward in wonder and, like the shepherds, go and see what these words mean. And once we’ve seen the depth, the beauty, the love, the truth of these words, oh, it should lead us forth in worship. Worship that wants to welcome others in to experience the terror, the wonder, and the worship right along with us.
Awe. Quiet gratitude. Peace. Security. Encouragement. It is no small thing to be a child of the King.
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Thank you x
My response today (and often) is contemplative and meditative. I want these words to fill the eyes of my heart with light, that they would be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. God with us, here and now, redeeming and saving, offering life and hope until He comes again.
What I really appreciate is the closeness to detail that Luke provides. The other gospels tell of Jesus’s birth, but Luke’s attention to detail shows us a completely different point of view of the story. I love how each person involved in Luke 2 has a different response, yet all responses are praising God.
Here’s to the new year, praying that this year God draws me closer to Him. Happy New Year, sisters!
What stuck out to me was that His parents were amazed at what was being said. If anybody should be sure of who this baby was, it would be them, but yet they were still amazed by Jesus. Why do at times stop being amazed with Jesus?
In Galatians, I understand that Jesus was born so that I could be adopted into God’s family. Of course, there is much more to it. But my takeaway thought today is, therefore, do not pick on the other kids of grace. Let’s start with our home churches and place of employment. Grant grace, light and understanding. I want to be like Jesus in Luke 2:46: he listened first, then ask4d good questions.
Praying that this year I will increase in wisdom and favor with God. Praying that this year my walk will be closer with Him and that I will stay in his rythyms of grace.
Happy New Year dear Sisters. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom every day. Praying this will be a happy and blessed year for all of us.
“Rythyms of Grace” – love that ☺️
“But when the fullness of time had 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” (Gal 4:4-5). He gave His Son. For me. To redeem me. And free me. And make me His own. Oh Father, thank you for seeing me. For pursuing me. For redeeming me. For making me your own.
I’ve been watching Beth Moore’s teaching called, The Present. Luke 2 was one of the scriptures used for teaching! Then, I came here, and hours later, I’m reading it again. Her teaching is a 4 part series you can find on YouTube, but here is a link for this one! It’s good!
https://youtu.be/fIdK5UgoUZc
Happy New Year!
I want to do both to feel the Spirit to experience God in a deeper way this year. Meditate and let the Word marinate in my heart. Transforming my old ways and bring on the new Lord. Like Mary treasure it up in my heart !
I think my favorite Christmas verse is Isaiah 9:2. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.” This season of my life is one of anxiety and stress – aging parents, husband’s health issues, youngest child needs to be back in church, just the general anxiety that comes with getting older. Some days can be rather gloomy. But God…from the beginning promised light. The first thing He created was light and at the darkest time of the year, He brought light into the world. I pray that this year I will be a bringer of the light to those around me.
Yes! This verse is so comforting to me too! I put it on our Christmas cards this year so everyone could hear about the clarity and peace God gives!
That is my heart’s cry as well Kathy. Thank you for sharing with vulnerability.
Thank you for sharing this. I need
Thank you for sharing this. I long for this in my life too.
Lisa that makes complete sense! I can definitely relate to the sensation of reading these stories with the mentality with which I would read a fantasy novel, despite the fact that I believe them to be true with all my heart. I feel like it’s only natural; we have to expect difficulty comprehending what it would be like to live in the physical presence of our Savior. I think that’s the beauty of the gospels, though. God’s love for us and the perfect gift of His Son are so unbelievably great and beyond the barriers of human love—of course we can’t grasp them! God generously gave us not only his literal presence through the Holy Spirit, but the guiding word of scripture that allows us to marvel at the incredible tale of Jesus’ birth every day. To put pressure on ourselves to feel connected to the reality of the happenings of the Bible might not be the point. I think there’s a beautiful humility in realizing that what God has done for us is so so wonderful that it defies the world’s standards of real life and that we can’t begin to unravel it ourselves. I can totally relate to the frustration feeling of feeling distanced from or disconnected with Scripture. But I think we should avoid beating ourselves up too much—childlike faith, the faith praised by God, doesn’t require a tangible sensation or experience. Maybe He doesn’t expect us to feel such a literal connection to the birth of Jesus and other biblical happenings—if we did, wouldn’t some of the awe and holiness be lost? I pray that God will draw us near as we read scripture and lead us to experience the account of Jesus’ birth as He desires.
The calendar opens to a new month, a new year, marking the passage of time. I noticed the passage of time in the selected Scriptures for today :
In those days…
The time came…
Suddenly…
At that very moment…
Every year…
After those days were over…
After three days…
When the time came to completion…
Though life may seem to move randomly, our God is orderly and moving according to His plan. How will 2019 unfold? I don’t know but I know He does. I look forward to the days ahead with anticipation of what He will do. I don’t want to miss a thing. Simeon and Anna watched and waited until their faith became sight. May I do the same.
Needed this today – thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Amen and amen!
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Oh Lord May your word never fall flat on my ears. May your mercies and your truth be NEW every morning. GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS!
Today I feel like Anna…I am so grateful for His redemption! As I listened to worship music this morning I was reminded of how amazing it is that we have come from death to life!
Reading the passage Mary’s response really did hit me. She took it all in on her heart. She meditated on the moment. I desire more of that in my life. The ability to savor moments in life, to take them into my being, instead of rushing to social media. I hope to have more of Mary’s response in 2019.
Feeling so thankful and wanted today. I hope y’all do as well! Because you are wanted and a part of this story.
I feel great joy . Like hearing my very best friend had a baby . That’s how I feel about Mary .
That makes total sense, Lisa. I struggle with it as well, especially when reading well known passages. I’m praying that the Lord will open our eyes and make these words fall fresh exactly as we need to hear them, equipping us to believe and be changed by them! So thankful we serve a LORD who wants us to know him and his word! Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Praying this verse for you, sister.
For me the move “ the prince of Egypt” is a movie I watch over and over. Each time I fall more in love with the story. Or I’ll notice something I didn’t before!
Reading the word should be like that!
Simeon and Anna- I cannot read about these two without shedding tears. They were faithful, and their faithfulness to God and prayer was rewarded by being able to see and hold the Messiah- the One who would save them and all people from their sins. Amazing Love… Amazing Grace. May I behold Jesus, this year, in my life in ways I have never imagined. May I learn to surrender all to Him and trust Him with my future and that of my children.
I am so thankful to have found this site and community. May God bless us all as we grow together in Him!
Yes, Jeannie. Yesterday we were challenging ‘hope management’; today we find Anna and Simeon waiting in outrageously faithful, childlike and self-forgetful hope!
Amen!
How many times have I read or heard Luke2:10-11 Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for ALL the people. Today in the city of David a savior has been born FOR YOU, who is the Messiah, the Lord. As I read this morning for all the people, and a Savior has been born for you just jumped out at me. He is for all the people; and he was born for ME! May I never get over that! I love His love and am so very grateful for His perfect plan for all!!
You make perfect sense.
As I read chapters the first two chapters of Luke (yesterday and today), my attention fell on the different ways I could pray over my grandson.
Luke 1:6 ~ Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s sight.
Luke 1:17 ~ He (John the baptizer) will have the spirit and power of Elijah.
Luke 1:28 ~ Mary was favored.
Luke 1:41 ~ Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 2:40 ~ The boy (Jesus) grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.
Luke 2:52 ~ And Jesus increased in wisdom & stature, and in favor with God and with people.
That is my prayer! That Jasper would be righteous in God’s sight, having the spirit and power of Elijah. That Jasper would be favored and filled with the Holy Spirit. May he grow up, become strong, filled with wisdom, have God’s grace upon him. That God would increase Jasper’s wisdom & stature, and that he would find favor with God and with people.
Isn’t God wonderful! Today’s devotional writer is correct in that God’s Word, the same words we have read hundreds of times before take a different shape and meaning for us while still maintaining all intended shapes and meanings.
Praise GOD! Praise GOD!
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What a beautiful prayer over your grandson.
Sometimes I wrestle with this not just being a story but rather reality. This really happened. I read these passages over and over and they are incredible but the reality of it all can at times feel so distant. I believe it all to be true… I wish with every reading I could feel it too. Not sure that makes any sense!
I get that too!