Conversation Points for Mary: Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20

Study Format:
1. Read passage aloud. What did you notice in the reading? What words or phrase caught your attention?
2. Read passage aloud a second time. What questions would you ask the text?
3. Read passage aloud a third time. What do you hear God calling you to do or be in response to this text?

Interesting Ideas to Consider:
Luke 1:26-38
• The announcement of the birth of Jesus matches the announcement of the birth of John in many ways, so much so that the audience is drawn to notice the differences. For example, John’s birth announcement was an answer to prayer, while Jesus’ was unexpected; John was born to parents past the age of child-bearing, while Jesus was born to a virgin. In each case, the miracle of Jesus’ birth was great, underscoring how Jesus’ role would be greater.
• V. 26 sets the temporal location and provides credibility by linking the story to the story before it. This announcement took place in the sixth month of the pregnancy already announced by Gabriel.
• The angel’s greeting to Mary, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you,” is an echo of the words of Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam 1:18, “Let your servant find favor in your sight”). It also parallels the promise of power given to the judges of Israel (Judg 6:12, “The Lord is with you”). The writer of Matthew’s Gospel makes a similar point by using the name Emmanuel, “God is with us” (Matt 1:23).
• Though Mary was not yet married, according to ancient customs, an engagement was just as legally binding as a marriage. Marriage was arranged by the bride’s father. The bride would then live at home for a year, before the groom would come to take her to his house.
• Like the announcement of John as the one who would prepare the people (Lk 1:16-17), Jesus’ role is announced, but he is “the Son of the Most High” (v. 32). Jesus, therefore, will be superior to John, even though he comes after John. The prediction also gives weight to the earlier report that Joseph was a descendant of David. There are also echoes of OT promises. 2 Sam 7:9, “I will make for you a great name,” Luke 1:32, “He will be great.” 2 Sam 7:13, through David’s sons, God would “establish the throne of his kingdom forever,” Luke 1:33, Mary’s child would “reign over the house of Jacob forever.” Also in 2 Sam 7:14, “I (God) will be his (David’s) father, and he will be my son.” The promise made to David is now fulfilled in Jesus.
• The Bible doesn’t give a date for the birth of Jesus, so why does the church celebrate it on December 25? Culpepper gives a couple reasons. 1) (the one Pastor Kjersten had heard of) December 25 is a few days after the winter solstice, as the days start growing longer, reminding Christians that Jesus is the true light that came to enlighten the world. 2) Apparently March 25 was traditionally regarded as the first day of creation (Pastor Kjersten did not know this, and does not know why March 25 was regarded as this). Jesus’ conception at the birth of creation highlights Jesus as the beginning of the new creation.

Luke 2:1-20
• Verses 1-5 set the birth narrative in historical context. While it is impossible to link the description to an exact historical time, the theological point is made; this was a real event that took place among real circumstances. Just one baby born in the midst of the counting of many in a census.
• Verses 6-7 tell of the actual birth narrative, in very bare bones terms. Again, the emphasis is on what isn’t said, this is a simple story, one that could be overlooked, except, of course, it is not.
• The word “fear” can also be translated as “respect” or “awe.” So “do not be afraid,” could also be “stop reverencing me, and pay attention to my message about the one you should reverence.”

Works Sourced:
Barfield, Ginger. “Commentary on Luke 2:1-14 [15-20].” Working Preacher. . Accessed: 19 December 2016.

Culpepper, R. Alan. “The Gospel of Luke.” The New Interpreter’s Bible Volume IX. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1995.