Preaching Luke 2

Just finished preaching a sermon on Luke 2. Below are some quick points which I found interesting as I prepared for this sermon:

• It's interesting that the Luke doesn't really elaborate much on the details pertaining to Jesus' birth itself. In fact, only 2 vs. (Lk 2:6-7) given to it. This is surprising in view of the buildup of expectation and anticipation generated in Lk 1. I wonder why?



• My guess is that Luke wants to leave the details out and just give us the bare facts simply and shortly to shock us! Afterall, if this child is to be called 'Son of the Most High' and 'given the throne of his father David', doesn't he deserve a better birth place than a manger?



• More importantly, I suspect the details of Jesus' birth is not where Luke wants us to focus our attention. Instead, as the next two sections reveal, it is on our response to this birth. And Luke does this by introducing several characters - shepherds, Mary's response, Simeon and Anna. It's through their responses that the theological significance of who Jesus is is flashed out for us... Interesting use of characterisation on Luke's part.



• Application wise, is it too much to suggest that by introducing these characters and their responses to Jesus, Luke himself is challenging us on why we should respond to Jesus?