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Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Christmas Eve and Dayas well as Proper II

Luke 2:1–20

Notes on This Reading

We leave the Gospel of Mark for this great celebration in the life of the church: The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord (also known as Christmas). We shift to Luke’s gospel, which gives us the fullest account of the birth of Jesus. It’s worth noting that two of the four gospels (Mark and John) don’t tell us anything about Jesus’s birth. But Luke shares the story of shepherds greeted by angels with hymns of praise. He lets us know that there was an innkeeper who hung out his “No Vacancy” sign. Luke tells about the gathering for worship around the manger. It’s a story of joy to the world.

Questions

1 This may well be the most familiar story in the New Testament. Try to read it as if you never heard it before. What strikes you? What puzzles you?

2 Why do you think the shepherds were the first to get the news of Jesus’s arrival?

3 What do you think Joseph was thinking in all of this, as he gets the news that there is no room in the inn, as his wife gives birth in a stable, as shepherds show up? Did he get more than he bargained for? Does he provide any model for you in your journey of faith?