of Luke Chapter 2

Review: Two announcements: John and ; Visitation; Birth of John, Two canticles: and Benedictus

Birth of Jesus

 Caesar : Roman emperor from 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. o Establishes the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) o Hailed as the “son of god” and “savior” by his subjects  Quirinius: Governor of Syria from 6 – 7 A.D. o Some scholars suggest that Quirinius did two censuses – registration of all land and property at Jesus’ birth and taxes in 6 A.D.  Bethlehem: Small Judean village about 90 miles south of Jerusalem o Means “House of Bread”; child will be bread of life (Jn 6:35) o Hometown of King David and site of his coronation  Firstborn: Jesus is “preeminent,” “supreme rank,” “rights of inheritance”  Swaddling Clothes: Newborns wrapped with strips to prevent movement o Key: Jesus’ wrapped in bandages anticipates burial in tomb  Manger: A feeding trough for animals o Isaiah 1:3: An ox knows its owner, and an ass, its master’s manger; but Israel does not know, my people has not understood o Ox symbolizes Israel (sacrificial animal) and ass Gentiles (stubborn) o Key: Jesus offers not straw, but his own body as life-giving bread  No Room: Jesus prepares a room for us in His Father’s House (Jn 14:2-3), yet ironically, there is no room for Him in the inn

Nativity Tomb Wrapped him in cloths strips Wrapped him in linen cloth Placed him in a manger Placed him in a rock-hewn tomb Because there was no place (in the inn) Where no one had been laid Luke Timothy Johnson, Sacred Pagina, 53

 Key: Christmas and Calvary can never be separated. Even at the crib, the shadow of the cross is present. came that we might have life (Jn. 10:10)  Shepherds: Long line in OT - Abel (Gn. 4:2-4), Jacob (Gn. 31:3-13), Joseph (Gn. 37:2-9), Moses (Ex. 3:16), David (1 Sam. 16:11-13), and Amos (Amos 1:1)  : Give three important titles to Jesus and His mission

Savior Jesus rescues mankind from sin (Mt. 1:21; Jn 4:40) Christ Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah (1:32-33; Jn. 1:49) Lord Jesus is enthroned at God’s right hand, where He rules (Acts 2:34-36) Scott Hahn, Ignatius Study , 24.

1  Glory to God: The angels’ canticle is sung at Mass on Sundays and feast days  Key: Shepherds (lowly) and angels (heavenly realm) bear witness to the child

Purification

 Circumcised: Like John, Jesus is named at His circumcision (1:59-60)  Purification: Birth of male child disqualifies an Israelite woman from touching a holy object or approaching the Temple for 40 days (Lev. 12:1-8); (ritual impurity) o Options: (1). Present a lamb for burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtle dove for a purification offering (Lev. 12:6); (2). If one could not afford a lamb, take two turtle doves or two pigeons (burnt & purification) (Lev. 12:8) o Key: Mary presents the offering of the poor; Jesus born among the poor

Presentation

: Represents the hopes and dreams of the faithful; looks for redemption  Now Lord: Latin Nunc dimittis (Now dismiss) is lens to read entire gospel o Light for Gentiles; glory of Israel; cause many to rise/fall; contradiction  Sword pierce: Mary has to live this prophecy every day, pondering what it meant  Anna: Described as a prophetess; model of a truly devout person; home in Temple o Key: Simple souls can do so much good for the Lord if “at home” in Christ!

Jesus in the Temple

 Luke alone records this episode of Jesus’ boyhood; years of silence on both sides o Luke’s infancy narrative (chaps. 1 & 2) begins and ends in the Temple  Each Year: Mary and Joseph are again presented as faithful to the Law o Jews were expected to make three pilgrimages a year (Dt 16:16, Ex. 23:14-15) for Passover, Booths, and Pentecost  Parents not know: Jews went in two groups: one of men and other of women  After three days: The discovery of Jesus in the Temple prefigures Jesus’ Resurrection, when Christ will be absent in death, but found again (St. Ambrose)  Ask questions: Later, Jesus will teach & ask questions in Temple (Lk. 19:45-20:8)  Did not understand: Mary and Joseph did not understand, but continue to trust o Key: Times when we feel like we “lose” Jesus or do not understand Him

Home in Nazareth

 Was obedient: Jesus’ life reveals beauty of building God’s kingdom in family life  Kept in heart: Second time we hear about Mary’s reflective nature (Lk 1:29)  Jesus advanced: Advanced in wisdom (mentally), age (physically), and favor before God (spiritually) and man (socially) (Thigpen, 36) o Key: In his first couple of chapters, Luke focuses on the lowly (Mary & Joseph, shepherds, Simeon & Anna) and on the quiet life of family  Chapter 3: The quiet life will give way to ’s preaching

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