Luke 2:1–20The Birth of Jesus Christ[1] In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. [6] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.The Shepherds and the Angels[8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!"

-67- And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy-Spirit and prophesied, saying,--68- -Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,-for he has visited and redeemed his people--69- and has raised up a horn of salvation for us-in the house of his servant David,--70- as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets-from of old,--71- that we should be saved from our enemies-and from the hand of all who hate us---72- to show the mercy promised to our fathers-and to remember his holy covenant,--73- the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to-grant us--74- that we, being delivered from the hand of our-enemies, might serve him without fear,--75- in holiness and righteousness before him all-our days.--76- And you, child, will be called the prophet of the-Most High- for you will go before the Lord to-prepare his ways,--77- to give knowledge of salvation to his people-in the forgiveness of their sins,--78- because of the tender mercy of our God,- whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high--79- to give light to those who sit in darkness and in-the shadow of death, to guide our feet into-the way of peace.- -Luke 1-67-79, ESV-

Luke 1-5-25 -5- In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest-named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. -6- And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. -7- But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.--8- Now while he was serving as priest before God when his-division was on duty, -9- according to the custom of the-priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord-and burn incense. -10- And the whole multitude of the people-were praying outside at the hour of incense. -11- And there-appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side-of the altar of incense. -12- And Zechariah was troubled when he-saw him, and fear fell upon him. -13- But the angel said to him,--Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and-your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his-name John. -14- And you will have joy and gladness, and many-will rejoice at his birth, -15- for he will be great before the Lord.-And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled-with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. -16- And he-will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,--17- and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to-turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the-disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the-Lord a people prepared.- -18- And Zechariah said to the angel, -How shall I know this- For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.- -19- And the angel answer

Blessed are you among women...--Blessed is she who believes...--He has brought down the proud...

[67] And his father Zechariah was filled with the HolySpirit and prophesied, saying,[68] "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,for he has visited and redeemed his people[69] and has raised up a horn of salvation for usin the house of his servant David,[70] as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophetsfrom of old,[71] that we should be saved from our enemiesand from the hand of all who hate us;[72] to show the mercy promised to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant,[73] the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, togrant us[74] that we, being delivered from the hand of ourenemies, might serve him without fear,[75] in holiness and righteousness before him allour days.[76] And you, child, will be called the prophet of theMost High; for you will go before the Lord toprepare his ways,[77] to give knowledge of salvation to his peoplein the forgiveness of their sins,[78] because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high[79] to give light to those who sit in darkness and inthe shadow of death, to guide our feet intothe way of peace." (Luke 1:67–79, ESV)

Blessed are you among women...Blessed is she who believes...He has brought down the proud...

Luke 1-1-4--1- Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a-narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, -2--just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and-ministers of the word have delivered them to us, -3- it seemed-good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time-past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent-Theophilus, -4- that you may have certainty concerning the things-you have been taught. -ESV-

Psalm 2 -1- Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain- -2- The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, -3- -Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.- -4- He who sits in the heavens laughs- the Lord holds them in derision. -5- Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, -6- -As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.- -7- I will tell of the decree- The LORD said to me, -You are my Son- today I have begotten you. -8- Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage and the ends of the earth your possession. -9- You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.- -10- Now therefore, O kings, be wise- be warned, O rulers of the earth. -11- Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. -12- Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. -ESV-

-1- This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.--2- I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my-second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them--3- since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. -4- For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God. -5- Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail to meet the test- -6- I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. -7- But we pray to God that you may not do wrong-not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. -8- For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. -9- For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. -10- For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may-not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. -ESV-