See Luke 19:38; 2:14
Chapter 2
14
“Glory to God in the highest and Peace on earth to those whom God loves.”
Chapter 19
38
They cried out:
“Blessed is he who comes as king in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.”
They cried out:
“Blessed is he who comes as king in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.”
Commentaries
Birth of Jesus.
Luke places the birth of Jesus within specific historical settings: during the reign of Emperor Augustus and at the time of the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria (1f). Jesus was born in Bethlehem because Joseph and Mary traveled there to register for the census, as Joseph was a descendant of David (4-7). Shepherds, marginalized and straightforward people, serve as witnesses to the Savior’s birth (8-20). Despite the humility of the scene at the manger, something gives the entire atmosphere a special glow: joy, which inspires the glorification and praise of God. Amid all this, Luke emphasizes another detail: Mary reflects on all these things and keeps them in her heart (19).
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
Jesus defies the messianic expectations of his countrymen by riding a humble donkey into Jerusalem; perhaps Luke references the prophecy of Zechariah, who predicted the coming of a humble and simple Messiah (Zec 9:9f). This praise of Jesus as king, along with comments about him and his activities in Jerusalem, will lead to his arrest, trial, and death sentence.