The Birth of Jesus - In July!

This the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting July 16 to study Luke 2:1-20.  Merry Christmas!  In July!  There are some interesting elements to this very familiar account that should be fun and helpful for us.

Per our usual, read through the passage several times.  Jot down observations and questions you have from the details you read.  Once you have those, then go to any commentaries you have available.  See which of your questions you can answer, and then gather more from what commentaries have. 

After having done that, go back through with the questions below:

• What commentary were you able to find on the 'timing' of the birth of Jesus?  It seems important to Luke, so how spot on was he?  Or do we know?
• Who is not mentioned in Luke's account, even obliquely?  I'm thinking of the person we usually use for the timing of Jesus' birth.
• What city is typically thought of as the 'City of David' in Hebrew Scriptures?
• David figures prominently in where Joseph goes.  Why not 'Judah' or some other reference, why do you think David is the 'head' of his family?
• Regarding timing again, are Joseph and Mary married yet?
• How important to Luke do you think the 'stable' is as the place Jesus was born?  
• Shepherds shepherding, living outdoors, the time of year must be warm.  So when, in the year do you think Jesus was born?
• One angel shows up.  So, what are the odds it's Gabriel?
• The announcement is made, the shepherds are impressed, why do you think the 'choir' was necessary?
• If the shepherds were afraid at one angel, what do you think they felt when the 'multitude' showed up?
• Read the 'song' of the angels in a few translations.  So who is this peace for?  And is the 'good will' or 'favor' already present, or also a 'gift'?
• The show is over, and all they know to look for is a baby in cloths lying in a feed trough.  Why do you think that was enough?
• It is enough detail and they find the three.  Luke doesn't say what the shepherds did while with Joseph and Mary, but what do you think they did?  They had to have done one thing at least.
• The shepherds then tell everyone (and Bethlehem is crowded right now).  The people who hear wonder, what do you think is significant about what Mary does?  Keep in mind, Luke uses Mary's response as a 'contrast' to everyone else here.
• Who else from Bethlehem do you think came to see the three?

That should keep us talking (and guessing) for a while.  Remember to bring your questions and observations.