Saturday's Scripture
Story for the Week
Luke 2:1-14
The coming of baby Jesus
and the shepherds
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
In today's story we see a coming together of God and man. There’s the coming of God in the person of Jesus as a baby and there’s the coming of man in the shepherds to experience this grace they have been told about by the angels. Both would go from there and bring praise to God. Let’s do the same: come and go together with God, under God’s direction, and with God’s message.
Prayer Prompt
The Advent season is about God in the person of Jesus coming to man. Worship is a response to God's coming, not unlike the shepherds and the wise men of Christmas story fame.
Ask God to enhance your worship life in the coming year:
- That you come to Him daily in personal worship, in His Word and in prayer and fellowship with Him; and
- That you come to Him weekly in public worship, in His Word and in prayer and fellowship at micro-, small, and large group levels.
Coming to learn from Jesus (Matthew 5:1-2) is the theme for our upcoming year in the church. Plan to come to Jesus regularly.
Matthew 5:1-2
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.