Luke p. 8 Does God have an arm (1:51)? What does this expression refer to? (q.v. Ex 6:1-6)

How is God shown to be the “Mighty One” in the ? For what purpose does God always use His might?

How does the reversal language of the Magnificat (Lower the lofty and raise the low) reflect the ministry of ?

Where is the Magnificat used in our liturgy? Why is it at that location in the liturgy? 3. The Events Accompanying Christ’s Birth 1:57-2:38

a) The Birth of 1:57-80

(1) Elizabeth Gives Birth to John 1:57-66 Figure 7: “The Naming of St. John the Baptist” by Harmenszoon van Rijn Rembrandt

In Jewish time, a week was eight days, Sunday to Sunday. How is John's circumcision on the eighth day of his life a parallel to Christ rising from the dead on a Sunday? (1:59)

How is it fitting that John's name come from God directly?

How does Baptism parallel circumcision? (Col 2:11-12)

(2) Zacharias Prophesies of John’s Ministry 1:67-80

In 1:68-70, of whom is Zachariah speaking?

What does the horn signify in 1:69?

Who are our enemies that came to save us from (1:71)?

Note that the only other place (besides 1:72) that the synoptic use the word "covenant" is in the Lord's Supper. How does the Benedictus link the two covenants? What is the common theme?

Note the use of the word, "way." Luke uses this word throughout Luke and Acts as a term for catechesis and faith.

Luke p. 9 Where is the Benedictus used in our liturgy? Why is it at that location in the liturgy?

b) The Birth of Jesus Christ 2:1-38

(1) Christ is Born 2:1-7

Figure 8: From the Mayer van den Bergh Breviary by an unknown Flemish Master, 1510-1515

We know that Caesar took several censuses like this one, but we have a historical problem: Quirinius was governor of Syria in 6 A.D. when a census was taken, but died in 4 B.C., and there is no record of a census taken earlier. How could Jesus be born while Quirinius was governor and Herod was king?5

“Bethlehem” (2:4) means, “House of bread.” How is this a fitting name for the birthplace of the Christ?

Why was it important that Jesus be born in Bethlehem?

Note that the stable (not mentioned, but implied by the presence of a manger) was likely a cave. How is the Biblical account different from popular images of the Nativity?

(2) The Announce Jesus to the Shepherds 2:8-14

Figure 9: “The appears to the shepherds” by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1851- 60

Name some famous shepherds who came before Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

In 2:10, the Angel has “good news.” In Greek, this is the same word usually translated “” from which we get the word, “Evangelism.” How is the angel’s message the Gospel?

2:11: Note that Luke is the only Synoptic Gospel writer to use the word “Savior.” How does this word fit with Luke’s purpose of showing Jesus as the ultimate man and God?

5 http://www.abideinchrist.com/messages/lk2v1.html