Daily Bible Reading—December 2024, God’s Guiding Word: Joyنمونہ

Introduction

Luke 2:1–21: Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem where Jesus is born. Angels announce the news of his birth to shepherds in a nearby field. The shepherds hurry off and find the baby Jesus in a manger. Today’s reading concludes with the naming and circumcision of Jesus eight days after his birth in accordance with the Law of Moses (see Leviticus 12:3) to indicate belonging to the Lord and as a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham (see Genesis 17:11–12).

Today’s Key Verse: Luke 2:11

“This very day in David’s town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord!”

Reflect

Luke’s account of Jesus’s humble birth is set against a geopolitical backdrop. A census had been ordered by Emperor Augustus to regulate the collection of taxes, an indication of Rome’s domination over the people. The titles given to Jesus in the angel’s message to the shepherds (Savior and Lord) were also used at that time for the emperor. Shepherds were on the low end of the social scale, yet they are the first to hear the news of Jesus’s birth. Why do you think they were chosen to hear the angel’s message? What does the good news of Jesus’s birth mean to you?

Pray

Glory to God in the highest! Lord Jesus, I join the angels’ song and celebrate your birth. You are my Savior, and the good news of your birth fills me with great joy. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

John 1:1–18: Jesus is presented as the living Word.