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Women in the Bible
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Lesson Twenty-Nine: by turtle30c
Luke 2:1-20 KJV
all the world should be taxed.
(2) (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
(3) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
(4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
(5) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
(6) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be
delivered.
(7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid
him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
(8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their
flock by night.
(9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round
about them: and they were sore afraid.
(10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
(11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
(12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger.
(13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and
saying,
(14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(15) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds
said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to
pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
(16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
(17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child.
(18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
(19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
(20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had
heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
I have listen and heard this story all month long. I have typed and wrote on the birth of Christ
many times and yet even so it still holds many mysteries and one can still learn many things
from this passage. Yet the one thing that speaks to my heart this Christmas season is the fact
that Mary ponder. She thought deeply on the things told her. She no doubt would store in her
memory this miraculous event and not just her own experience but the experience of the
shepherds.
Mary goes with her husband on a journey to Bethlehem. It is a long journey. Many hours spent
on the road to a place to just to pay taxes. You never hear of either complaining to the fact
they had to travel. Yet no doubt they knew the scriptures about the Messiah. Micah the prophet
had spoken.
Micah 5:2 KJV
(2) But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet
out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have
been from of old, from everlasting.
Yet was that enough as Mary began to feel the contractions of the birth of the Christ child. Was
it enough. Was the pain she felt as they looked for a place to stay more then she had thought.
Was she worried about having this child. What was Mary’s reaction when all Joseph could find
was a stable. God’s child born in a stable, how Mary must of wondered, why not the best inn in
the country. Yet Christ came as a baby, born in a stable, a place where animals lived. Yet when
one thinks about it maybe it is not as bad as it sounds. After all did not God watch the animals
give birth. Did not God create the animals. Did not God love all His creation.
Job 39:1-4 KJV
(1) Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark
when the hinds do calve?
(2) Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring
forth?
(3) They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
(4) Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not
unto them.
Yet no doubt Mary ponder as the contraction came. And as the baby was born she took him
then and wrapped him in swaddling clothes. Strips of cloth put around him. And then he was
laid in a manage and not a gold cradle. He was worthy of a gold cradle, for he was the Son of
God. Yet Mary made due with what she had.
No doubt Mary was resting after giving birth to her first born child, when a knock came to the
stable door. Shepherds came pouring in with their sheep. Kneeling before the manager where
the Christ child laid. And they began to tell their story of how they came to be there that night.
How an angel had appeared before them and told them of a baby born in a manager. Then a
multitude of angels came and began to sing about the glory of God and the birth of the Christ
child. They told her they had to come see for themselves and did not mean to cause any harm.
Mary listens as the men tell there tale. How Joseph must of wonder too. Yet the story doesn’t
stop there.
Eight days later Mary goes to the temple to do according to the Jewish law after having a baby
boy.
Luke 2:21-24 KJV
(21) And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was
called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
(22) And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished,
they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
(23) (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called
holy to the Lord;)
(24) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of
turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
These customs themselves were not unusual, but the meeting of the prophet Simeon as they
came through the door.
Luke 2:25-35 KJV
(25) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man
was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
(26) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he
had seen the Lord's Christ.
(27) And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child
Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
(28) Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
(29) Lord, now letest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
(30) For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
(31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
(32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
(33) And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
(34) And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the
fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
(35) (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts
may be revealed.
No doubt these words spoken would be remember by Mary and her heart would break as she
watch he own son be nailed to cross when He was in His thirties. No doubt she wonder at these
sayings of Simeon. Then a prophetess came as well and told her things.
Luke 2:36-39 KJV
(36) And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she
was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
(37) And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the
temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
(38) And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to
all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
(39) And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned
into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
No doubt Mary would ponder these events for a long time. Do you ponder on the things God
shows you in your heart. To you ponder on scripture as you learn it. Memories are a blessing
they help us retain events in our life. Without them we would not know of our Savior birth or
the prophesies surrounding his birth. Next week we will look at the wise men. I prayer you all
will have a Merry Christmas. And God will bless you all. From turtle30cshell.
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