Psalm 21 is another royal psalm and in it King David extols the LORD for His blessing and protection over the monarchy. David offers explicit details of the terrors that have and will befall those who have turned against him, but invests most of the time in this brief psalm affirming the LORD’s blessing in his life.
Psalm 22 is a powerful psalm of lament, written by King David, but quoted by Jesus as He hung on the cross. Biblical scholars debate whether Jesus was merely quoting the psalm, which begins, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” as He hung on the cross, because He knew the psalms ending praised the LORD for His faithfulness. But Jesus agony on the cross was far different than David’s. Psalm 22 was definitely written by David to describe times when he felt deserted by the LORD. Yet the vivid details of the psalm also describe clearly what Jesus experienced as He endured crucifixion. This is a time when the psalm was written by David for his life and situation, but also pointed to the future time when Jesus would endure indescribable agony, as He bore our sins in His body on the cross.
Psalm 23 is the most beloved of all the psalms. Written by King David, the psalm describes the LORD as our Shepherd. David, having started his life as a shepherd, was intimately acquainted with the images he portrayed of the LORD’s watchful care in our lives. This brief psalm reminds us of God’s constant love, watchfulness, care, provision, and His constant seeking for us in our lives. The psalm is often read at funeral services, because of its immense comfort for any aspect of our lives, but particularly when we are facing “the valley of the shadow of death.”
Psalm 24 is another creation psalm. In this brief psalm, King David reminds us the earth belongs to the LORD and everything in it. He also reminds us that only those who are pure may ascend to the LORD’s presence.
As we turn to Luke 2, we come to what most people think of when they think of the birth of Jesus. The first seven verses tell us of a decree that went out from the Roman emperor requiring everyone to return to the home of their ancestors, which is why Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem even though Mary was about to have her child. While they were in Bethlehem, Jesus was born. He was placed in a stable, and laid in a manger–a feeding trough–because there was no place else to stay. The city was crowded past its capacity with all the people in town for the census.
Luke 2:8-20 tells us of the shepherds who were watching their flocks that night, and how the LORD made them aware of Jesus’ birth by sending first an angel to tell them the news, and then a host of angels to glorify God and sing His praises. After the angelic visitation, the shepherds ran to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph and Jesus. They told them what they had seen and been told, and then they told everyone in the town. Afterwards, they returned to their flocks rejoicing and praising God for everything they had seen and heard, which was just as they had been told.
The next nineteen verses record Mary and Joseph taking Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to dedicate Him. As the Law of Moses required, they went on the eighth day, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD. While they were there, they were visited by Simeon and Anna. These two servants of the LORD had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Each offered a blessing to the family, and also a prophecy that Jesus would be the cause of the rising and falling of many in Israel. Mary was also told a sword would pierce her own soul.
The remainder of the chapter is devoted to the account of a time when Jesus was twelve years old, and the family went to Jerusalem for Passover. After the celebration, Mary and Joseph started home with their family entourage from Nazareth, which would have included many in their extended family. On the third day, they realized Jesus wasn’t with the group. (It’s challenging for us to understand how that kind of “oversight” could have happened, but it was a different era, when families cared for one another’s children, and Jesus absence wasn’t a cause for alarm.) Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem and searched everywhere. Finally, they found Jesus in the Temple talking with the religious leaders. We’re told the religious leaders were amazed at Jesus’ questions. Mary asked Jesus why He had done this to them? Jesus’ answered, they ought to have known He would be in His Father’s house. Jesus returned home with Joseph and Mary, and we’re told that He was obedient to them, and that He grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and people. What a wonderful blessing and challenge it must have been to be Jesus’ parents.