Overview Luke 2:1-52 - "Jesus Of Bethlehem? Jesus Of Jerusalem? Jesus Of Nazareth." or "GPS - God's Positioning System". This week in our chapter we get to go on a ROAD TRIP! We'll follow Joseph and Mary as they make the tough journey fromNazareth down to Bethlehem to be counted in the census. Who doesn't love a census, right? Then, since Jesus is born and we're in the neighborhood, we'll go to Jerusalem and present Him at the Temple, a place He will have us exploring looking for Him years later. But in between, there's no place like Nazareth. Let's pack.

Luke 2:1-7 - "In Bethlehem, Part 1" or "Counted And Counted Out". Things that may seem inconsequential to us can be key happenings in the unfolding of God's plan. Today's reading is a prime case in point: what do you get when you combine a census-decreeing Caesar with an earnest-but-late-arriving carpenter from a no-horse town literally in the sticks ("Nazareth" means "branch"), with expecting wife-to-be in tow, combined with a shortage of rental rooms in Bethlehem?

You get Micah 5:2 fulfilled.

We today might be prone to think these happenings were no big deal, and so close the door on The Lord and His word right here, but wait. Remember that they had no reason to be in Bethlehem otherwise. And as far as the point of having nowhere to lay His head, perhaps an idiom interjected could inspire. Ahem,

It's a good thing Jesus was born in a barn, because He leaves the door open for US.

Luke 2:8-13, 14, 15-20. "In Bethlehem, Part 2" or "Gathering Shepherds To The Good Shepherd". As we read our portions today, let's get it that God gathers in the lowly to come see what it is He's doing. So, if you're not too proud, come and see what God is doing.

He just might turn your world upside-down.

Luke 2:21, 22-24, 25-28, 29-32, 33-35, 36-38. "The Prince Of Peace Comes To His City". As we read today, we see Joseph, Mary and Jesus taking the short trip from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. "Bethlehem" means "HouseOfBread" and how interesting that He who was born there and who is the Bread of Life and the Prince of Peace now goes from there to "Jerusalem" which means "CityOfPeace".
Now "Simeon" means "heard". See also Genesis 29:33 and see how God literally shows Him Love on this day.
"Anna" is a name related to "John", meaning "favor" and how God did show her His favor on this day!
How about you? Would you lay eyes on our great God's Salvation and take hold of Him, singing songs to His glory? Would you tell others?
Would you be heard today? Would you be favored today?

"God had promised Simeon that he would see the salvation of God. What did he see? He saw a little Baby. Salvation is a person, and that person is the Lord Jesus Christ. ...Do you have Him today?"
-J. Vernon McGee

Luke 2:39-40 - "Back To Nazareth" or "Duties And Gifts". Our reading today consists of two simple verses. Or are they?
Verse 39 is easily overlooked often because we simply don't understand what all Joseph and Mary had to do under the Law. See Leviticus 12. So nearly seven weeks after Jesus was born, they head back to Nazareth.
Now verse 40 covers about 12 years. Jesus, the Grace of God upon us, with God's grace upon Himself, growing into Himself Who Would Save Us All.

Luke 2:41-51, 52 - "Back To Jerusalem" or "Tween Jesus". Today's reading should reinforce the idea that God is very much in control of His plan. At every stage of its unfolding. As Jesus' whereabouts were unknown to His stepfather and mother, His statement to them, as all of the Lord's questions, is rhetorical. Every parent has had the classic infinite "Why?" exchange with their inquisitive kids. Jesus would never have to ask "Why?". He IS God, so He already knows everything.
Joseph and Mary's parental position is unique because this Son they are raising is also the Savior they need, the Savior we all need.
They try to keep up, but in a very different way than every other parent. Ever.

Review Luke 2:1-52 and REST in the parallels:

As the Bread from His house and the Prince to His city the Branch moves,
His prophet proclaims, His Spirit pronounces, and His tree proves.