Luke 2:1-21 – What Does It Matter?

Read Luke 2:1-21

We often overlook the significance of this birth announcement. Jesus wasn’t just some baby who was born over two thousand years ago. Instead, quite a “somebody” because we’re still talking about him all these years later. People who know and love Jesus understand that he is way more than just a baby from the history books. This Bible passage is golden to help us see the “truth” be born.

Jesus is the truth that guides and shapes our lives. Jesus said of himself in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” When you think of Jesus’ birth, think of who he is and why it matters. Jesus shows us the way. It’s such an honor to know the life-giver as our way to the Father.

In this next section of our Discovering the Bible series, we talk about “who” Jesus is. What a fitting passage to open this series with, but with the birth of our Savior, Jesus. This text gives us plenty of examples of who Jesus is, but it’s the angel’s proclamation that gets me each time.

The angel had said to the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” The Messiah! Who is the Messiah? What does that mean for us today? This would have been the best news back then because the Messiah had been long-awaited, and now he comes during a time of such oppression.

God’s Word speaks of the Messiah long before his birth. There are plenty of Old Testament prophecies that promise salvation and freedom from this Messiah, along with happier, more abundant days. What promises! The angels certainly brought good news that night. It’s the same “good news” we proclaim as our Christmas message. Jesus our Messiah is born!

For many, Christmas is simply a holiday of gift-giving, trees with twinkling lights, and parties overflowing with food and drink. They miss out on the true depth and beauty of this season. As believers, we celebrate that Jesus came into the world to save us. He is the greatest gift ever given. What a treasure this Bible account of Jesus’ birth is for us to reflect on! It makes it real for us to picture, like plenty of nativity scenes and reenactments to help us.

How blessed we are to be able to attend church on Christmas and hear this story full of miracles. It never gets old. Our Christian faith centers around this man, Jesus, God’s son sent to live among us. It matters because God wanted to live among his people and be known.

What’s surprising in this story is the shepherds. Why were they the first audience privileged to witness the hosts of angels? The theme of humility shines as God chose the lowly shepherds to be the first to hear and encounter the holy baby.

We can learn a lot from those shepherds. They didn’t hesitate in seeking this miracle baby, and they didn’t keep the news to themselves. These shepherds had witnessed the miracle of all miracles and told everyone what they had seen. “All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished.” We can be so bold in proclaiming our own faith in our friend, Jesus the Messiah. It matters because Jesus is for us 100% and we should want to know where our support comes from. Give Jesus your attention today.

Let’s pray. Father, thank you for sending Jesus to include me in your story of love and redemption. I marvel at how your plans are always so perfectly orchestrated, even if I don’t understand why you chose shepherds or a manger. Give me the same faith and obedience you have given to servants like Mary and Joseph. I long to grow closer to you every day, Lord. In Jesus’ powerful name. Amen.