Scripture:  Luke 2:22-24(NIV) - When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons...  Read More

Scripture: Luke 2:22–23 (NIV)When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”),ReflectionForty days after His birth, Jesus is carried into the Temple. Every day, families came to the Temple to do exactly this. ...  Read More

Scripture: Luke 2:21 (NIV)“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.”ReflectionEight days after His birth, Jesus is circumcised and named—not in a palace, not before a crowd, but in the quiet obedience of a faithful family. This is insignificant status by the world’s standards. Nothing about this momen...  Read More

Scripture ReadingLuke 1:17 (NIV)And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of theparents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready apeople prepared for the Lord.John 3:28–30 (NIV)You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The frie...  Read More

Scripture ReadingLuke 1:15–17 (NIV)For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of thepeople of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the d...  Read More

Scripture ReadingLuke 1:13–14 (NIV)But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wifeElizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you,and many will rejoice because of his birth.”Luke 1:41, 44 (NIV)When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filledwith the Holy Spirit...  Read More