Text: Luke 2: 1-20

The Shepherds are told that a son or savior is born in Bethlehem.  They will find the child-King if they look for the signs.  (see verse 12) Furthermore, the shepherds make an interesting statement; they speak of Jesus’ birth as “this thing”.

I invite you to enter into the story with the shepherds and follow “the signs” to determine what “this thing” might be.  On closer inspection you will find that this text is loaded with signs or symbols for you to follow.  Here are a few helpful signs:

• · Joseph means “let him add”
• · Nazareth means “Branch” (see Isaiah 11:1)
  • o Nazareth was a town of 20-30 thousand people who got their water from a spring.
• · Galilee means “circuit”
• · Judea means “he shall be praised”
• · Bethlehem means “house of bread”
• · David means “beloved”
• · Mary means “their rebellion”

These signs are found in verses 4-5.  Now rewrite these verses using the meaning of the words in place of the “word” itself.

I find it interesting that the shepherds’ term “this thing” in the Greek means WORD.  In other words, they went to Bethlehem seeking the WORD!   Now, look again at the list of words and their meanings.  Think about how each of these meanings are signs that lead to Jesus’ identity.