Study Desk

"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.

We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear,

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!"

Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby's mother, "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.

Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.

She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness.

Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.

And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.'"

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don't just say to each other, ‘We're safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.' That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.

Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.

Then the devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread."

Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'"

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off!

Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.'"