Read: Luke 2:1–5 [Joseph] went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:5 John has been born to Elizabeth, and Mary is well into her pregnancy. Joseph has taken her as his wife, though they
Read more →Read: Matthew 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38 “See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.” Revelation 5:5 It’s fairly popular these days to get online and trace our family roots. In previous years, we relied on the public records, libraries, and graveyards of
Read more →Read: Luke 1:67–80 “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.” Luke 1:76 Okay, we can admit this together. During the Christmas season (or any other time of
Read more →Read: Luke 1:57–66 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. Luke 1:64 At last, John is born to Elizabeth, six months before Jesus is born to Mary. Friends and family rejoice for this long-awaited day. Not until
Read more →Read: Luke 1:46–56 “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46–47 Elizabeth has just declared great things for Mary and her baby. In fact, she cries out in a loud voice, shouting this proclamation. Mary responds with an anointed praise of
Read more →Read: Luke 1:39–45 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:41 Elizabeth is six months pregnant when her kinswoman, or relative (Greek word, syngenis, possibly a cousin), Mary, visits her. It is assumed that
Read more →Read: Matthew 1:18–24 “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20b There is something to be said for the repeating stories, miracles, and themes in the Bible.
Read more →Read: Luke 1:26–38 “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” Luke 1:31 Six months after Elizabeth’s long-awaited conception, her relative is visited by the same angel who visited her husband. Mary (Miriam in Hebrew) is a young teenager
Read more →Read: Luke 1:24–25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” Luke 1:25 Zechariah has just blown it, so to speak. In this high and holy moment of divine intervention,
Read more →Read: Luke 1:8–23 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayers have been heard.” Luke 1:13a 400 years. That’s how long it had been since God spoke—at least from the standpoint of biblical writing. Despite the efforts of Nehemiah and other exiles
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