Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Monday, December 8, Luke 2:11

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

I can't think of a better way to prepare for this Christmas season than to consider the wonderful passage given us by Luke. He himself was a doctor in those times, and for a time was part of Paul's missionary team.

Tradition has it that he spoke personally with Mary about the birth of Christ, and much of his writings were learned from Paul. Some, of course, was first-hand, as we see in his sequel to the Gospel: the book of Acts.

I thought it good to relate the full account below, in case one never opens a Bible, so I hope you enjoy it, and if you don't know this baby, born of a virgin as prophesied, first coming as a suffering servant and returning to claim His Kingdom as King of kings, turn to Him today!

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

"And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David as Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

"When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

"And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

"And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them." (Luke 2:1-20)

Let us rejoice with them!

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

*ESV used unless noted*

Memory Helps:

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Well, I think, for most Americans, we can picture this in spite of ourselves, for at least we still include Christ in His birthday celebration. So this is an easy word picture, and you may already know this passage.

Linking the numbers to the verse: Here are my word pictures:

I use a robed "doctor" for Luke, usually putting a "stethoscope" around his neck to accent the picture. I use a "NEW" price tag for my chapter 2 a lot, and my "memory character" for all verses 11 is my dear old DaD (D=1, vowels fillers)

So, a simple addition to this scene is my dad giving a "NEW" tag to Doctor Luke, who pins it on the crib. Silly, but it links the numbers well for Luke 2:11.