Are you familiar with the saying, “Home is where the heart is”?
What does this saying imply to you?
Does the implication change depending on whether you still live in the town where you were born or if you live thousands of miles away from your birthplace?
When I lost my husband to mental illness in July 2024, it was interesting how many people’s questions frequently revolved around whether I would move back to my birthplace or stay where I currently live. This question came from family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers.
Obviously, this question arose from a place of care and concern since I am about a thousand miles from my family roots.
My mother has shared that she regularly responds that I’ve lived in my current location for twenty-some years now when she is asked if I’ll move back to where she lives. Often, people will then say to her, “Oh, her life is there then.”
I’ll share how I am answering this question in relation to the saying, “home is where the heart is” and the study of Luke 2:1-20 that follows at the end of this post.
Have You Prepared Your Heart for Christmas? | Part Four
A Study of Luke 2:1-20
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.[1]
Consider the following definitions:
Caesar–a powerful ruler such as an emperor , autocrat or dictator
Augustus–a name that is meant to mark majestic dignity or grandeur
Census (registration)–a count of the population and a property evaluation in early Rome
Keeping in mind that Luke is writing to share an orderly account of eyewitnesses for his friend Theophilus’ certainty (see Luke 1:1-4), what is the point of these opening verses?
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.[2]
Who is Joseph, and what type of person is he?
What does Micah 5:2 reveal about Luke 2:1-5?
Why does Luke use the word “betrothed” instead of “wife” for Mary at this point? (also see Matthew 1:18-20)
How hard was the approximately seventy-five mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem for Mary at this time?
And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.[3]
What is significant about the timing of the birth? (use Micah 5:2 and Luke 2:4-5 to aid your answer)
Describe the physical setting of this birth.
What is striking about the setting you just described compared to Caesar Augustus’ position as emperor of Rome?
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [4]
Compare these verses with Luke 1:11-12 and Luke 1:26-29. What is the same? Different?
Why did the angel appear to shepherds, who were despised members of society? (also see 1 Samuel 17:34-37)
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”[5]
What is the significance of the “city of David”? (See Luke 1:30-33)
Consider the following definition:
Savior–one that saves from danger or destruction; one who brings salvation.
List everything this Savior will do according to Mary’s Song of Praise in Luke 1:46-55.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [6]
How do the angels respond to this announcement?
What do the angels say God accomplishes through this child?
Who is God pleased with?
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.[7]
Describe the shepherd’s reaction to their experience with the angels.
And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. [8]
What did the shepherds do after confirming the angel’s message?
Explain the difference between wondering about something versus treasuring and pondering something in one’s heart.
What resulted from the shepherd’s experience according to verse twenty?
Have You Prepared Your Heart for Christmas? | Part Four
Application
Based on Proverbs 21:1, who ordered the census (registration)? Caesar Augustus or God? Explain why this is important to note.
How does the humble setting of the birth of Jesus reveal God’s heart for humanity? (Consider 2 Corinthians 8:9 as well)
What did you learn from Joseph’s role in this narrative that you can apply to your own daily life?
How can you know God’s favor rests on you today like it did for Joseph, Mary and the shepherds in this narrative? (See Luke 23:39-43)
Are you moved, like the shepherds were, to tell others about this favor? Why or why not?
Heavenly Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we thank you for your incredible favor that you have shown humanity through the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Open our minds and hearts to receive the good news that Gabriel announced to Joseh, Mary, and the shepherds in the narrative found in Luke 2 so we may dwell with you in your heavenly home one day. Thank you for the reminder that our position in the world, whether it be one of great political influence or as a simple peasant, is not what is important. Rather, it is what you do on our behalf that is most important and most worthy of praise. May our hearts be drawn to be at home with You. Amen.
For me, in thinking about the phrase, “home is where the heart is” and this study of Luke 2:1-20, I find my heart is focusing more than ever on my eternal home. It has prepared my heart to want to embrace the truth of the Lord’s favor as I wait for Him to either return or call me home, my true home, with Him.
How have this study and the phrase, “home is where the heart is,” helped prepare your heart for Christmas this year?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Barbara Lynn
PS. I’ll be back with a new post on January 4, 2026.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 2:1–3.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 2:4–5.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 2:6–7.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 2:8–9.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 2:10–12.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 2:13–14.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 2:15–16.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 2:17–20.