Luke 2:25-26 Part 1 of 2

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout

Luke 1:6  Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations. 

Acts 2:5-6  At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

Acts 8:2  (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.)

Acts 10:22  They said, "We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message."

Acts 22:11-13  "I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions. A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus. He came and stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, regain your sight.' At that very moment I could see him!"

and eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come 

Luke 2:38  She [Anna, verses 36-37] came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she was praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

Luke 23:50-51  Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to arrive.

Mark 15:43  Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) 

Isaiah 25:9  In that day the people will proclaim, "This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!"

[brackets are mine]

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

  

Luke 2:21-24 Part 2 of 2

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD." So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord--"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child;

Leviticus 12:2  "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. If a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, she will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her menstrual period."

Leviticus 12:4  "After waiting thirty-three days, she will be purified from the bleeding of childbirth. During this time of purification, she must not touch anything that is set apart as holy. And she must not enter the sanctuary until her time of purification is over." (see verse 5 for the time of purification for a daughter.) 

Leviticus 12:6-7  "When the time for purification is completed for either a son or a daughter, the woman must bring a one-year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a purification offering. She must bring her offerings to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle. The priest will then present them to the LORD to purify her. Then she will be ceremonially clean again after her bleeding at childbirth. These are the instructions for a woman after the birth of a son or a daughter." 

The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD." 

Exodus 13:2  "Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me."

Exodus 13:12  "... you must present all firstborn sons and firstborn male animals to the LORD, for they belong to him."

So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the LORD--"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 

Leviticus 12:8  "If a woman cannot afford to bring a lamb, she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. One will be for the burnt offering and the other for the purification offering. The priest will sacrifice them to purify her, and she will be ceremonially clean."

(parentheses are mine)

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

  

Luke 2:21-24 Part 1 of 2

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD." So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord--"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised,

Luke 1:59-60  When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, "No! His name is John!" 

Genesis 17:12  "From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased."

Leviticus 12:4  "On the eighth day the boy's foreskin must be circumcised."

Philippians 3:5  I [Paul] was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin--a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law.

he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. 

Matthew 1:21  "And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus ["The LORD Saves"], for he will save his people from their sins."

Matthew 1:24-25  When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Isaiah 7:14  "All right then, the LORD himself will give you a sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us')."

[brackets are mine]

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:15-20

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

Luke 2:7  She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. 

Luke 2:11-12  "The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often 

Luke 2:51  Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

Genesis 37:10-11  This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. "What kind of dream is that?" he asked. "Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?" But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant. 

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. 

Matthew 9:8  Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. (see verses 1-7) And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.

Luke 7:16  Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, "A mighty prophet has risen among us," and "God has visited his people today." (see verses 11-15)

Matthew 15:31  The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn't been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel.

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:13-14 Part 3 of 3

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."

"to those with whom God is pleased."

Matthew 3:16-17  After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy." (see also Matthew 17:15; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; 2 Peter 1:17)

2 Corinthians 5:6-9  So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 

Philippians 2:13  For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Colossians 1:9-10  So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Colossians 1:19-20  For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.

1 Thessalonians 4:1  Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more.

Hebrews 11:6  And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:13-14 Part 2 of 3

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."

"and peace on earth"

Luke 1:78-79  "Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace." 

Isaiah 9:7  His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!

Isaiah 26:3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.

Isaiah 52:7  How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation.

Haggai 2:9  "The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the LORD of Heaven's Armies, have spoken!"

John 14:27  "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." 

John 16:33  "I have told you all this so that you have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Acts 10:36  "This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel--that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all."

Romans 5:1  Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Ephesians 2:14  For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:13-14 Part 1 of 3

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--

Genesis 28:12  As he (Jacob) slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.

1 Kings 22:19  Then Micaiah continued, "Listen to what the LORD says! I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right and on his left. (also 2 Chronicles 18:18)

Psalm 103:21  Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!

Daniel 7:9-10  I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened. 

Revelation 5:11  Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.

praising God and saying, "Glory to God in highest heaven," 

Psalm 148:1  Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him from the skies!

Matthew 21:9  Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, "Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!"

Luke 19:38  "Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!"

Ephesians 4:20-21  Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Colossians 1:19-20  For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:12

"And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

 

1 Samuel 2:31-34  "The time is coming when I will put an end to your [the high priest Eli's] family, so it will no longer serve as my priests. All the members of your family will die before their time. None will reach old age. You will watch with envy as I pour out prosperity on the people of Israel. But no members of your family will ever live out their days. Those who survive will live in sadness and grief, and their children will die a violent death. And to prove that what I have said will come true, I will cause your two sons, Haphni and Phinehas, to die on the same day!" 

1 Samuel 10:6-7  "At that time the Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you [Saul], and you will prophesy with them [the band of prophets]. You will be changed into a different person. After those signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you."

2 Kings 19:29  Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Here is the proof that what I say is true: This year you will eat only what grows up by itself, the next year you will eat what springs up from that. But in the third year you will plant crops and harvest them; you will tend vineyards and eat their fruit."

2 Kings 20:8-11  Meanwhile, Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What sign will the LORD give to prove that he will heal me and that I will go to the Temple of the LORD three days from now?" Isaiah replied, "This is the sign from the LORD to prove that he will do as he promised. Would you like the shadow on the sundial to go forward ten steps or backwards ten steps?"  "The shadow always moves forward," Hezekiah replied, "so that would be easy. Make it go ten steps backward instead." So Isaiah the prophet asked the LORD to do this, and he caused the shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!

Psalm 86:17  Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame, for you, O LORD, help and comfort me.

Isaiah 7:14  "All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child. She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us').

Luke 2:7  She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

 

[brackets are mine]

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:11 Part 4 of 4

"The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

 

1 Timothy 2:3-6  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity--the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

1 Timothy 4:10  This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

Titus 2:14  He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Titus 3:4-8  But--"When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life." This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

1 John 2:2  He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins--and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

1 John 3:5  And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.

1 John 4:14  Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:11 Part 3 of 4

"The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

 

Acts 18:5  And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.

Acts 18:27-28  Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God's grace, had believed. He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah. 

Romans 11:13-15  I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! 

1 Corinthians 1:21-25  Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven, and it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"--and I am the worst of them all.

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:11 Part 2 of 4

"The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

 

John 11:25-27  Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?"  "Yes, Lord," she told him. "I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God."   

Acts 2:36  "So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!"

Acts 4:11-12  "For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.' (Psalm 118:22)

Acts 4:30-31  "The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven."

Acts 9:22  Saul's preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn't refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

Acts 10:36  "This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel--that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." 

Acts 13:23  "And it is one of King David's descendants, Jesus, who is God's promised Savior of Israel!"

Acts 16:30-31  Then he (the jailer) brought them (Paul and Silas) out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household."

Acts 17:3  He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, "This Jesus I'm telling you about is the Messiah."

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:11 Part 1 of 4

"The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

 

Psalm 130:7-8  O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows. He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin.

Matthew 1:21  "And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus ("the LORD saves"), for he will save his people from their sins." 

Isaiah 9:6  For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 53:11  When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.

Luke 19:9-10  Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."

Matthew 16:15-16  Then he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"

John 1:29  The next day John (the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

John 3:17  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 

John 4:42  Then they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world."

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:8-10 Part 4 of 4

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people."

 

They were terrified, but the angel reassured them, "Don't be afraid," he said.

Daniel 10:12  Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer."

Matthew 17:7-8  Then Jesus came over and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.

Matthew 28:10  Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there."

Luke 1:13  But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John."

Luke 1:30  "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God!"

Acts 18:9  One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, "Don't be afraid! Speak out! Don't be silent!"

Revelation 1:17  When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last."

"I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people." 

Luke 2:32  "He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!"

Luke 4:17-18a  The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor." (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Luke 4:21  Then he began to speak to them. "The Scripture you've just heard has been fulfilled this very day!"

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:8-10 Part 3 of 4

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people."

 

and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them.

Luke 9:28-31   About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.

Acts 7:55-56  But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. And he told them, "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God's right hand!"

2 Corinthians 3:15-18  Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had the veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:8-10 Part 2 of 4

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people."

 

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them,

Acts 8:26  As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, "Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza."

Acts 10:3-4  One afternoon about three o'clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. "Cornelius!" the angel said. Cornelius stared at him in terror. "What is it sir?" he asked the angel. And the angel replied, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering!"

Acts 10:30-32  Cornelius replied, "Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o'clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. He told me, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! Now send messengers to Joppa and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.' "

Acts 12:6-7  The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists.

Acts 12:23  Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people's worship instead of giving glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

Acts 27:22-24  "But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What's more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.' "

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:8-10 Part 1 of 4

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people."

 

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them,

Genesis 16:7   The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur.

Exodus 3:2  There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn't burn up.

Matthew 1:20  As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 2:13  After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

Matthew 2:19-20  When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. "Get up!" the angel said. "Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead."

Matthew 28:2  Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.

Luke 1:11  While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar.

John 20:11-12  Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying.

Acts 5:19-20  But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them, "Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!"

 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:3-7

All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

 

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. 

1 Samuel 16:1   Now the LORD said to Samuel, "You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king."

Micah 5:2  But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. 

Matthew 2:1-2  Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him." 

Matthew 2:5-6  "In Bethlehem of Judea," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote: 'And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.' (Micah 5:2; 2 Samuel 5:2)"

Luke 2:11  "The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"

 

He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 

Luke 1:26-27  In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 

Matthew 2:23  So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: "He will be called a Nazarene."

 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:1-2 Part 2 of 2

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

Matthew 4:24  News about him [Jesus] spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed--he healed them all.

Acts 15:22-23   Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. [see Acts 15:1-21] The men chosen were two of the church leaders--Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. This is the letter they took with them: "This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. Greetings!"

Acts 15:40-41  Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord's gracious care. Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.

Acts 21:1-3  After saying farewell to the Ephesian elders, we sailed straight to the island of Cos. The next day we reached Rhodes and then went to Patara. There we boarded a ship sailing for Phoenicia. We sighted the island of Cyprus, passed it on our left, and landed at the harbor of Tyre, in Syria, where the ship was to unload its cargo.

Galatians 1:21-24  After that visit [with Peter and James in Jerusalem, verses 18-19] I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. And still the Christians in the churches in Judea didn't know me personally. All they knew was that people were saying, "The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!" And they praised God because of me.

 

[brackets are mine] 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 2:1-2 Part 1 of 2

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus,

Matthew 22:15-17  Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. "Teacher," they said, "we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don't play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

Luke 3:1  It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene.

decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 

[The Roman Empire was considered to be the whole, known world, subject to the governing power of Rome. The purpose of the census was for taxation and military service, though Jews were exempt from military service.]

Psalm 19:1-4a  The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth and their words to all the world. 

Matthew 24:14  "And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come."

Romans 1:8  Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world.

Romans 10:18  But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have: "The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world." [Psalm 19:4]

Colossians 1:6  This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace.

[brackets are mine]

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

 

Luke 1:78-80 Part 2 of 2

"Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace." John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

"and to guide us to the path of peace."

Isaiah 52:7  How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!

John 14:27  "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."

Romans 5:1  Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.   

Ephesians 2:14  For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 

Ephesians 2:17  He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.

Luke 2:14  "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."

 

John grew up and became strong in spirit.

Luke 2:40  There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom and God's favor was upon him.

Luke 2:52  Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and all the people.

And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel. 

Matthew 3:1-2  In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."

Matthew 11:9-10  "Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, 'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.' " (Malachi 3:1)

(parentheses are mine)

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

Luke 1:78-80 Part 1 of 2

"Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace." John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

"Because of God's tender mercy,"

Colossians 3:12  Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

 

"the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us," 

Malachi 4:2  "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture." 

Ephesians 5:13-14  But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, (Romans 13:11) rise up from the dead, (Isaiah 26:19; John 5:25) and Christ will give you light. (Isaiah 60:1; Malachi 4:2)" 

1 Peter 1:19  Because of that experience (see verses 16-18), we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place--until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.

 

"to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death," 

Isaiah 9:2  The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 

John 8:12  Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

Psalm 18:28  You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.

Ephesians 5:8  For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

Colossians 1:13-14  For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

1 Peter 2:9  But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

(parentheses are mine)

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post. 

Luke 1:76-77 Part 2 of 2

"And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins."

"because you will prepare the way for the Lord."

Luke 1:17  "He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly."

Malachi 3:1  "Look! I am sending a messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. 

Matthew 3:3  The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, "He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the LORD's coming! Clear the road for him!' " (Isaiah 40:3)

Mark 1:1-4  This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written: "Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. (Malachi 3:1) He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the LORD's coming! Clear the road for him!' " (Isaiah 40:3) This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. (see also Luke 3:3)

"You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins." 

Matthew 1:21  "And she will have a son, and your are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Matthew 26:27-28  And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many."

Jeremiah 31:33-34  "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, 'You should know the LORD.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already," says the LORD. "And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins."

 

(parentheses are mine) 

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Limited to 15 verses per post.