I.       “Expiatory Sacrifice”
Luke 2:15-21
Luke 2:22-24; Lev 12; (Lk 2:21, 27, Gal 4:4); 1Sa 1:22, 24
Luke 2:39; Ex 13:9; 2Chr 31:3; [Ex 13:2, 12]
Exodus 13:1-2, 13c
Numbers 18:15-18
Leviticus 12; Heb 1:3
Galatians 4:4-5
Galatians 3:10-14; Heb 1:3; 2:1-18; Matt 3:15
 
 
II.     “The Divine Herald” 
Luke 2:25-26; Lk 1:6; Ac 2:5; 8:2; 22:12; Lk 2:38; 23:51
Isaiah 25:9; Mk 15:43; [Gen 39:18]; Is 40:1; 57:18
Psalm 89:48; Jn 8:51; Heb 11:5 (Ac 2:27) Lk 9:20; 23:35
 
 
III.      “Divine Revelation” 
Luke 2:27-32; Lk 2:33, 41, 43, 48-51; 1:64; Gen 15:15;
Luke 1:26; 3:6; Isaiah 52:7-12; Ps 98:1-4; Luke 24:36-53
Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 52:10; (60:3); Jn 8:12; Ac 13:47; 26:23
[Isaiah 45:25; 46:13]; Lk 2:10; 2Tim 1:8-10
2 Corinthians 3:14-18; Ro 12:1-2
 
Greek Word Study:
 Purification: ‘katharismos’: from ‘katharizo’ (to cleanse); a washing off, i.e. (ceremonial) ablution (moral) expiation: - Cleanse (ing), purification. Noun from ‘katharizo’, to make clean. Particularly, purification of women after childbirth (Lk 2:22); metaphorically, purification from sin, expiation. (Hb 1:3)
Law: ‘nomos’: from primary ‘nemo’ (to parcel out, esp. food or grazing to animals); law; (through the idea of prescriptive usage, general (regulations), special (of Moses [inc. the volume]; also of the Gospel) or figuratively (a principle): Law. In NT, laws relating to external religious rites, e.g. purification (Lk 2:22)
Holy: ‘hagios’: sacred (physically pure, morally blameless, or religious, ceremony, consecrated): - (most) holy (one, thing) saint. Adjective from ‘hagos’ (n.f.) any matter of religious awe, expiation, sacrifice. Primarily: pure, clean, inc. the notion of respect and veneration. Holy. Metaphorically, morally pure, upright, blameless in heart and life, virtuous, holy. Consecrated, devoted, sacred, holy, i.e. set apart from a common to a sacred use. Spoken of persons (Lk 2:23)
Righteous: ‘dikaios’: from ‘dike’ (right, as self-evident) equitable (in Character or act) (by implication) innocent, holy (absolute or relative): - righteous person, innocent, just. In NT, in a moral sense righteous, just. Spoken especially of those whose hearts are right with God. (Lk 2:25)
Devout: ‘eulabes’: from ‘eu (well, good) and ‘lambano’ (to take); taking well (carefully) i.e. circumspect (religiously pious); - devout. Cautious, circumspect. In NT spoken only in reference to God. God-fearing, pious, devout. (Lk 2:25)
Waiting for: ‘prosdechomai’: from ‘pros’ (forward, toward) and ‘dechomai (to receive) (in various applications, lit. or fig.) (accept, receive take welcome); (by implication) to await with confidence and/or patience; - accept, look (wait) for, receive, welcome. To receive to oneself, to accept. Of things future, to wait for, to expect (Lk 2:25, 38) [to anticipate, waiting confidently with the intent to receive to oneself]
Consolation of Israel: ‘Paraklesis’: from ‘parakleo’ (to call near); solace: - comfort, consolation, encouragement. The act of comfort. Consolation, comfort, solace. By metonymy, the Messiah as the author of spiritual aid and consolation (Lk 2:25)
Revealed: ‘chrematizo’: from ‘chrema’ (useful): to utter an oracle [from God] i.e. Divinely intimate: - be directed, be instructed. Spoken of things to be revealed (Lk 2:26 by the Holy Spirit)
See1 death2: ‘eido1 thanatos2’: ‘eido1’ a primary verb (properly) to see (lit. or fig) Metaphorically, to experience (Lk 2:26) ‘thanatos2’noun from ‘thnesko’(to die). Death, the extinction of life; Often in the Septuagint, ‘thanatos’ has the sense of destruction, perdition, misery, including both physical death and the exclusion from the presence and favor of God in consequence of sin and disobedience; ‘thanatos2’: rejection from the kingdom of God (eternal condemnation) (Lk 2:26)
Took: ‘dechomai’: to receive. Physically, to take to oneself what is presented or brought by another, to receive into one’s hands (Lk 2:28) Metaphorically used to receive the kingdom of God; to receive, admit with the mind and heart i.e. by implication to embrace, to follow. [Lk 2:28]
Depart: ‘apoluo’: to free fully, i.e. (literal) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexive, depart) or fig. let die, pardon. From ‘apo’ (from) and ‘luo’ (to loose): to let loose from, to loose or unbind a person. To dismiss from life, let depart, die (Lk 2:29) [in peace]; ‘apolutrosis’ Christian  salvation – deliverance on account of ransom paid.   
Salvation: ‘soterion’: defender, defense: - salvation. In NT, only in the Christian sense of saving, bringing salvation. By metonymy, The Savior (Lk 2:30; 3:6) Synonymous with: Redemption Price, Ransom.
Light: ‘phos’: from ‘phao’ (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays) luminousness; - light Used especially of Jesus as the Great Teacher and Savior of the world, who brought life and immortality to light in his Gospel. (Lk 2:32; 2Ti 1:8-10)
Revelation: ‘apokalupsis’: from ‘apokalupto’ (To reveal, to take off the cover): - disclosure, be revealed, revelation. An uncovering. In NT used metaphorically of the removal of the veil of ignorance and darkness by the communication of light and knowledge in Christ. (Lk 2:32, 2Co 3:16) 

I.          “Faith In Action”
Luke 2:8-14
Luke 2:15-16; 7, 12; 1:26-55; 2:13-14; Eph 3:4-6
Hebrews 11:6; Lk 2:12, 16; Php 2:1-11; Ro 3:21-30
Luke 1:39-45, 56
 
II.         “The Shepherd’s Revelation” 
Luke 2:17-19; Matt 17:5; Jn 14:6, 25-27; Heb 11:6
2 Corinthians 5:17-21; 2:18, 19; 33, 51; Jn 2:1-12
Luke 7:11-16; Jn 19:28-30
 
III.         “Saving Grace” 
Luke 2:20-21; 1Jn 4:13-16; 1Pe 1:3-9; Lk 2:18; Ro 3:21-25
Matthew 11:25-30
Hebrews 4:14-16; 3:12-4:13; Lk 2:21; 1:31, 59; 2:11
Matthew 1:18-25
 
Greek Word Study:
Shepherds: ‘poimen’: a shepherd (literal or figurative) meaning one who generally cares for flocks. Particularly (Lk 2:8, 15, 18, 20) Figuratively of Jesus as the Great Shepherd who watches over and provides for the welfare of the Church, His Flock “Chief Shepherd: ‘Poimano’ (Mt 26:31; Mk 14:27; Jn 10:2, 11, 12, 14, 16; Hb 13:20; 1Pe 2:25)
Angel: ‘aggelos: from ‘aggello’ (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel”; (by implication) a pastor; - angel, messenger. Noun meaning messenger, one sent to announce and/or proclaim. An angel, a celestial messenger, a being superior to man. God is represented as surrounded by a host of beings of higher order than man. These He uses as messengers and agents and in promoting the welfare of humans (Mt 1:20; 18:10; Ac 7:30) As to numbers of angels see Hb 12:22; Rev 5:11. (Lk 2:15)
Made Known: ‘gnorizo’: from a derivative of ‘ginosko’ (to make known); make known, proclaim, tell. To others, generally, to make known, declare, reveal, with dative (Lk 2:15, 17)
Haste: ‘speudo’: probably strengthened from ‘pous’ (a foot); to speed: - make haste, hurry. (Lk 2:16)
Found: ‘aneurisko’: from ‘ana’ (upon, on, in) and ‘heurisko’ (to find); to find out: - find, seek out. (Lk 2:16)
Baby: ‘brephos’: an infant (lit. or fig.) baby, childhood, infant. A noun meaning child. Usually an infant, babe, suckling (Lk 2:16) Used metaphorically of those who have just embraced Christianity.
Saying: ‘rhema’: from ‘rheo’(to speak); an utterance, by implication a matter or topic (especially of narration, command, or dispute): - that which is spoken, a statement, a word. Spoken by metonymy for things spoken of a happening (Lk 1:37; 65; 2:15) Particularly, a word as uttered by a living voice: a saying (Lk 2:17, 50)
Wondered: ‘thaumazo’: from ‘thauma’ (wonder): the act of wondering; (by implication) to admire: - amaze, astonish, astound, marvel surprise, wonder. [not necessarily with Faith] (Lk 2:18)
Pondering: ‘sumballo’: from ‘sun’ (together) and ‘ballo’ (to throw or cast): - [to put together] to combine, (mentally) to consider. Ponder (Lk 2:19)
Glorifying1 and2 Praising3: ‘doxazo1 kai2 aineo3’: ‘doxazo’: to render glorious (to esteem glorious): - exalt, glorify, give glory, honor, magnify. From ‘doxa’ (glory) to glorify: To ascribe glory and honor to God, meaning to render glory to Him; to celebrate with praise, worship, and adoration1; ‘kai2’: meaning “and”; ‘aineo3’: from ‘ainos’ (praise): to praise God. Spoken in the NT only of God (Lk 2:13, 20…) [both verbs here used in the present active participle tense, conveying a linear action presenting an event as it occurs – an action which thrusts the storyline forward with great importance.]
Circumcised: ‘peritome’: from ‘peritemno’ (to cut around); the rite of circumcision. Circumcision – practiced by the Jews as a distinguishing sign of the Jewish Nation from Abraham under the Old Covenant. Correlates to Baptism in New Covenant as outward sign of the spiritual circumcision of the heart and affections, by putting the sins of the flesh off from the body ‘In Christ’ (Ro 2:28, 29; Php 3:3; Col 2:11) (Lk 2:21)    

I.     “God’s Revelation to Lowly Hearts”
Luke 2:1-7
Luke 2:8-9; 24:4; Ac 12:7; Lk 9:31; Ac 7:55; 2Co 3:18
Genesis 13:2; 26:12; 30:31; 37:2; Ex 3:1; 1Sa 16:11-13
Zechariah 9:14-17a
John 10:11-16
 
II.    “From Great Fear to Great Joy!” 
Luke 2:10-11
Isaiah 6:5; Lk 2:32; Jn 11:50; [Zech 9:9]; Is 9:6; Lk 2:4
Matthew 1:21; Jn 4:42; Ac 2:36; 10:36; [Lk 23:2]; Mt 1:17
2 Samuel 7:8-9, 16
Isaiah 7:13-14; 7:11
 
III.     “The Virgin Birth” 
Luke 2:12-14; 2Sa 7:18-24; 1Sa 2:34; 2Ki 19:29; 2 Ki 20:8-9 Gen 28:12; 32:1-2; 1Ki 22:19; 2 Chronicles 18:18; Ps 103:21
Psalm 148:2; Dan 7:10; Rev 5:11
1Peter 1:10-12; Zech 2:8; Lk 2:14; 19:38; (Ps 148:1; Mat 21:9)
Luke 10:21; Mat 6:10; 28:18; Jn 17:4; Ac 7:49; Eph 3:15
Colossians 1:16, 20; Rev 5:13; Lk 1:79; Ps 85:10; Is 9:6-7
Haggai 2:9; Ac 10:36; Ro 5:1; Eph 2:14-17; (Lk 3:22; 12:32)
Ephesians 1:3-14 (5, 9); Php 2:12-16
Matthew 17:5; 1-5
John 14:6, 25-27
Hebrews 11:6; 1-6; Jn 1:11-13
 
Greek Word Study:
Shepherds: ‘poimen’: a shepherd (literal or figurative) meaning one who generally cares for flocks. Particularly (Lk 2:8, 15, 18, 20) Figuratively of Jesus as the Great Shepherd who watches over and provides for the welfare of the Church, His Flock “Chief Shepherd: ‘Poimano’ (Mt 26:31; Mk 14:27; Jn 10:2, 11, 12, 14, 16; Hb 13:20; 1Pe 2:25)
Keeping watch: ‘phulasso1 phulake2’: to watch, be on guard1 (lit or fig) of persons or things kept in safety, to keep, preserve (Lk 2:8) a guarding2 (concrete: a guard); the act of keeping watch2 (Lk2:8) (Present Active Participle)
Flock: ‘poimne’: contracted from ‘poimano’; a flock (lit or fig); - flock. Noun from ‘poimen, shepherd. A flock of sheep (Lk 2:8) Figuratively, the Flock of Christ, His disciples, the Church (Mt 26:31; Jn 10:16)
Angel: ‘aggelos: from ‘aggello’ (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel”; (by implication) a pastor; - angel, messenger. Noun meaning messenger, one sent to announce and/or proclaim. An angel, a celestial messenger, a being superior to man. God is represented as surrounded by a host of beings of higher order than man. These He uses as messengers and agents and in promoting the welfare of humans (Mt 1:20; 18:10; Ac 7:30) As to numbers of angels see Hb 12:22; Rev 5:11. (Lk 2:9)
Glory: ‘doxa’: from base of ‘dokeo’; glory (As very apparent) in a wide application (lit or fig, object or subject); - brightness, glory (-ious [ones]), honor, praise. Noun from ‘dokeo’ (to think, recognize) an appearance. In NT, glory, honor: of external appearance: luster, brightness, dazzling light…Spoken especially of the celestial splendor in which God sits enthroned and His Divine Effulgence, Dazzling Majesty, Radiating Glory, as visible to mortals (Lk 2:9; Jn 12:41; see Is 6:1; Ac 7:55)
Filled with Great Fear: ‘phobeo1 phobos2 megas3’: to frighten, i.e. (passive) to be alarmed; be terrified (+be filled with) fear1. ‘phobos2’ from a primary ‘phebomai’ (to flee in fear); alarm or fright2. ‘megas3’: big, fierce, great (-er, -est)  “terribly, terribly , terrified” (Lk 2:9)
Great Joy: ‘megas1 chara2’: Big, great1. ‘chara2” from ‘chairo’ (cheerfulness) i.e. calm delight: - greatly, joyfully, pleasant. Noun from ‘chairo’ to rejoice. Joy, rejoicing. By metonymy, spoken of the cause for or grounds for Joy2 (Lk 2:10; Php 4:1)
A People: ‘laos’: a people. Noun meaning people; a people, nation tribe, i.e. mass of any people and not limited to a community of free citizens; a great part of the population gathered together anywhere. Specifically, of the Jews as the people of God’s choice; figuratively of Christians as God’s Spiritual Israel (from every nation). [God’s Flock taken from all nations] (Lk 2:10; Rev 5:9)
Savior Christ Lord: ‘Soter1 Christos2 Kurios3’: Savior, of Jesus as Messiah1; Christ,  adj. from ‘chrio’ (to anoint), Anointed,  of Jesus: Messiah2; Lord, supreme in authority, of Jesus as Supreme Lord: Messiah3. (Lk 2:11)
Heavenly Host: ‘ouranios1 stratia’: (celestial1) i.e. belonging to or coming from the sky: - heavenly, adj. Celestial1 i.e. dwelling in heaven as the “heavenly host.” ‘stratia2’ feminine of derivative of ‘stratos’ (an army, as encamped); i.e. an army2 i.e. (fig) the angels, the Celestial Luminaries: - host2. “Celestial Army of Angels” (Lk 2:13)
Peace Those Pleased: ‘eirene1 anthropos2 eudokia3’: tranquility arising from reconciliation with God1. ‘anthropos2’ a member of the human race2. ‘eudokia3’: satisfaction, Good Pleasure (will), Gracious (will); Particular delight in any person (God’s favor) from which believing faith is born. [God is pleased with those who, by faith, trust in Christ Jesus, His Messiah, unto Salvation] (Lk 2:14) Salvation of people brings Glory to God in the highest!