As we begin the Gospel of Luke, since this is one of the Synoptic Gospels as well, I will again attempt to limit my comments to that which is specific to Luke so that I don't just keep on repeating myself!
These opening chapters are familiar enough to most of us and so some comments will be things that we've all heard before, but some things jumped out at me that I hadn't noticed before, at least not in this way.
The conceptions of both John the Baptist and Jesus were miraculous, but they were miraculous in two distinct ways. Elizabeth conceived when she was both barren and past the age of child-bearing, yet she still conceived by the natural means of marital relations. Whereas Mary conceived as a virgin, and remained a virgin after conception because her child was conceived in her by the supernatural means of the Holy Spirit. "Nothing will be impossible with God" (1:37)!
Many want to elevate the virgin Mary to some sort of super-spiritual status. Truly, she was a special woman, but in many ways she was just like any of us. She struggled with fear (1:29). She needed a Savior (1:47). She had to submit to the Law of God (2:22). She indeed was "highly favored" by God (1:28), but only "the child" that would come from her would be called "holy" (1:35). Let's be careful to give respect to Mary for her willingness to be used by God, but let us be careful not to worship her. We must worship the Lord our God alone!
The declaration of the angel to the shepherds when he announced the birth of Jesus, contained three titles of Jesus that are very significant (2:11). Savior - He earned this title by giving His life on the behalf of His people. Christ - He was the anointed one! The one chosen by God the Father to redeem fallen humanity. Lord - He was God in the flesh. The Apostle Paul often used all three of these titles in referring to Jesus as "our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
The response to all of this is interesting. The shepherds run immediately to see Jesus, and then they return glorifying and praising God for what they had seen. Mary treasured up all of these things in her heart. Others wondered at what they had been told. May we, after pondering the greatness of our Lord and Savior, burst forth into proclamation of His glory to those who are around us!
The last thing that I will point out is the work of the Holy Spirit in these chapters. He filled John the Baptist from the womb (1:15). He caused the conception of Jesus within Mary (1:35). He filled Elizabeth to proclaim a blessing on Mary (1:41). He filled Zacharias enabling him to prophesy (1:67). He was on Simeon who was eagerly waiting for Messiah to come (2:25) because the Holy Spirit told him he wouldn't die until He came (2:26), and He directed him to come to the temple (2:27). The Holy Spirit of God is active in this world. May we be sensitive to His working and leading in our own lives!
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