What Jesus Did! 'Astonishment, Treasuring, and Praise' — Luke 2:16-20

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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[The shepherds who had been told by an angel about Jesus' birth] 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 [treasured] [1] 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.

[1] Luke 2:19 NIV.
— Luke 2:16-20 NLT

Key Thought

If we allow the birth of Jesus to touch us, it can produce the same three types of reactions in us as for those who were originally touched by it:

  1. The villagers were astonished at the story — and so are we, because God loves us so much that he sent his Son.
  2. Mary stored the words and events in her heart like a treasure — and so do we, when we read the story of Jesus with love, joy, and anticipation.
  3. The shepherds returned to their work, but they did so with joy and praise knowing that their world would never be the same — and we have the same reason for glorifying and praising God.

God has come and visited us. He has shown us his love. He has ensured us that life doesn't have to have its normal boundaries. So we greet this story and this child with astonishment, taking in each event and every word as a treasure while offering our heartfelt praise to God for his gracious love.

Today's Prayer

O Almighty God, so majestic and yet so accessible, thank you for drawing near us when we could not draw near you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Mark 6:45-51
  • Matthew 13:44
  • Mark 11:8-10

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 2:16-20 NLT — [1] Luke 2:19 NIV.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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