Christmas

Check out all the previous Rest readings here.

Christmas Reading Plan | Week 3 Day 1

Prayer

As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself today.

Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-7

Read these verses three times slowly.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 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.

Reflection & Questions

We are continuing our readings in Luke about the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. There are so many variables that came together in Jesus’ birth. For example, He was prophesied to be from the town of Nazareth but would be from the town of Bethlehem, too. How would this come about? A census of the entire Roman Empire was called. God moved the heart of a Roman emperor to fulfill the prophecies of the arrival of the true Ruler of all. But just because God made a world event occur for His Son’s arrival, doesn’t mean that He moved to give His Son a room to be born in or a crib to be placed in. No, His Son was born with animals and placed in a feeding trough for a crib. While in one this seems like a total abandonment of Mary, Jesus and Joseph, this moment of a King placed in a manger would become a resounding message to people everywhere for the rest of time that this King is different. God moves in mysterious ways, His purposes to accomplish.

God also works in mysterious ways in our lives today. At times we will see Him work in the miraculous in our lives and other times, seemingly absent. But He is always working, His purposes to accomplish. As Paul tells us in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

1. What does Jesus being born in a barn and laid in a manger teach us about the character of the King of all Kings? How can you mimic that character in your life today?
2. How have you seen God work in clear ways in your life? How have you felt that He was seemingly silent? Have you seen how He has worked good through that?

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

---

Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.

Questions?