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1) Dedication to Theophilus - Luke 1:1-4 - (Resources Used, NKJV, Mathew Henry Commentary, Smiths

Dictionary) - To Top^

a) Luke's Research - Luke 1:1-2 -  - Here Luke is telling us where his research came from so that he can write

a more accurate account of the life and times of our Lord Jesus Christ.  That research came mostly from the 11

disciples, the witnesses, the ministers of the word, (Jesus Christ Teachings).  The disciple gave Luke a narrative

(a story of account) of Jesus Christ, for they had delivered them to Luke and his friends.

b) Luke to Verify for Theophilus, accuracy of Jesus Life - Luke 1:3-4 - In this Theophilus seemed to have

Luke do some research for him to get a accurate account of what he was told by others regarding Jesus Christ. 

Now it seems Theophilus was a Magistrate and it seems here that either Luke was his close friend, or possibly

hired by Theophilus to do research for him concerning Jesus Christ.  This we are not sure of.  But regardless he

wanted an orderly account (Story) of Jesus Christ!

2) John's birth announced to Zacharias - Luke 1:5-25 - (Resources Used, NKJV, MSN Dictionary, Nelsons

Bible Dictionary, Smiths Bible Dictionary, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Adam Clarkes Commentary  ) - 

a) Zechariahs & Elizabeth's Descendents - Luke 1:5 - (Zechariahs, zack a RYE us, Greek Form of

Zachariah), Zachariah, meaning "God Has Remembered"), a Priest of the Division of Abijah (a BUY jah,

meaning "my Father is Jehovah", to who was from the line of Judah a son and successor of Rehoboam sitting

on the throne of Judah.  In one resource it is suggested that Zechariahs is from the line of Aaron.  Now Elizabeth

(ee LIZ uh buth, meaning "God is my Oath") is from the line of Aaron, to which both of John the Baptist parents

is from a priest hood line since both are from Aaron, the start of the priesthood line.

b) Elizabeth Was Barren - Luke 1:6-7 - Elizabeth, John the Baptist mother, never had children because in a

medical sense she could not have children as some women of today can not have children.  Plus her and her

husband were far beyond child barring years as well.  All of that was most likely due to God showing his power

and miracles through them that he kept her womb closed until this time.  For a very important time of bringing

John the Baptist into the earth to prepare the way, peoples hearts for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God

closed her womb up until this certain time for John to be born.

c) The Burning of Incense -  Luke 1:8-10 - This marks another important occasion marking the miraculous birth,

and coming of John the Baptist and the Birth and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to prepare the way for our

Lord Jesus and Christ, his ministry in what is about to take place in (Luke 1:11-17).  But in Luke 1:8-10 we

first pay attention to the importance of this special occasion of burning incense and its meaning.  Now God use

to manifest his presence, his Holiness to the priest.  The incense was itself a emblem of the prayers and praises

of the people of God (Psalms 141:2 & Revelations 8:3-4) to which here seemed to play a very important part

of this special and unique time.

d) Zechariahs Prayers Are Heard - Luke 1:11-14 - Since it seems that it has been over 400 years since the

Lord has spoken to the people of Israel just like the Jews were slaves to the Egyptians for 400 years that God

has now chosen to speak to the people of Israel then and now to Zechariahs regarding his prayers for a son and

possible for Israel's salvation..  Both prayers were answered with a yes and a promise of a son and opportunity

of Salvation for Israel.  But this is not just any son of man, this is John the Baptist that Elizabeth will be pregnant,

to give birth to and to prepare the peoples hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ.  The interesting thing here is that

there are no witnesses here to the Angel appearing to Zechariahs. The people of Israel could not, nor allowed to

bear witness of this special event.

e) John the Baptist will be Great - Luke 1:15-17 - The reason why John the Baptist will be great before the

Lord, and before the people is because by his preaching he will turn many of people away from their wicked

ways and converted to Jesus Christ, to be repentant and obedient to our Lord Jesus Christ.   That is the whole

purpose of John the Baptist is to prepare the way, that is turn peoples hearts and minds away from wickedness

and to be ready for the coming of Jesus Christ.  This is the way salvation works is that a persons heart is

prepared for it for conversion to Jesus Christ.

f) Zechariahs Lack of Faith - Luke 1:18-19 - It seems here that Zechariahs evidently forgot that all things are

possible with God. Even though the head of the angels, Gabriel stood right by Zechariahs and he still had a lack

of Faith in God to bring them a son in their old age.  Zechariahs problem was that his understanding of the way

God works is worldly rather than spiritual. Even though the message came from the Angel of the Lord himself he

still remained faithless.

g) Zechariahs Punished for Lack of Faith - Luke 1:20-22 - Even though an angel of the Lord sent from God

has told Zechariahs of the glad tidings, the coming birth of John the Baptist filled with the spirit of God through his

wife, Zechariahs still did not believe these things.  So the angel because of Zechariahs lack of Faith made him

mute.  He could not speak until the time of John the Baptist birth.  Yet the people thinking that Zechariahs had

seen a vision instead because he was not able to speak to them.  So when Zechariahs came out he beckoned 

(made a gesture with his hand) to them.

MSN DICTIONARY - beck·on [békən] - (past and past participle beck·oned, present participle

beck·on·ing, 3rd person present singular beck·ons) vti

1) gesture to somebody to come: to signal to somebody to approach with a movement of the hand or head

2) attract or tempt: to be an attraction or temptation to somebody (literary)

[ Old English bēcnan < Germanic]

-beck·on·er, , n 
-beck·on·ing·ly, , adv

h) Elizabeth's Reproach Removed - Luke 1:23-25 - Now when Elizabeth found herself to be pregnant she

hid her self from the public eye for 5 months, maybe because of the delicacy of the matter, or possibly to make

sure she was actually pregnant and not just becoming over weight as further proof that she is with child.  There

are many of women who gained weight thinking they were pregnant when they were not. Now as far as the Lord

taking away her reproach among the people; this meaning that there were people who judged her, who criticized

her because she never got pregnant in the past, but now no longer will they call her barren for she is now at this

time pregnant!

MSN DICTIONARY - re·proach [ri prṓch] v (past and past participle reproached, present participle

reproaching, 3rd person present singular re·proach·es)

1) vt criticize somebody: to criticize somebody for doing something wrong

2) or reproach your·selfvr feel blameworthy: to feel ashamed because you know you have done

something wrong n

1) criticism: criticism or disapproval for having done something wrong, or an expression of this

2) something disgraceful: something that reflects badly on somebody who has failed to improve or deal

with it

3) discredit: shame or disgrace that somebody or something incurs

[15th century. < Old French reprochier < Latin prope "near"]

3) Christ's birth announced to Mary - Luke 1:26-38 - (Resources Used, NKJV, Adam Clarkes Commentary, The Bible Exposition

Commentary (NT), Faucet's Bible Dictionary, Matthew Henry's Commentary,  ) - To Top^

a) The Angel Gabriel; Barer of Good News - Luke 1:26 - The Angel Gabriel (hero of God, Dan 8:16, 9:21, Luke 1:19, 26) through

out the scriptures seems to be sent to certain men for only the assignments of bringing Major Birth Announcements, "Glad

Tidings" that is good news, such as John the Baptist Birth and our Lord Jesus Christ Birth as well.  He is told by God to help

others understand visions and such.  His assignments are of major importance without a doubt.  He seems to be a comforter

to the people that God sends him to when the Angel Michael represents the angels in their fight against evil, their might

against the evils.

b) Mary; God's Favorite - Luke 1:27-30 - Here Mary was a very humbled women, a righteous woman, never expecting God to

send a Angel to tell her that she will give birth to the savior of the world the son of God. Jesus Christ.  To which is the

highest honor that can be bestowed on any woman in the history of woman kind.  She was not of the rich or of influence

in her community as the world defines influence.  Instead she was a carpenters (Joseph's) wife (Betrothed).  More of a

middle class people kind of like how carpenters live today, their financial status.  She was a young woman between the

ages of 15 and 18 since until modern times for thousands of years most young girls married at young ages in the days

when society allowed it.

Easton's Bible Dictionary - Betroth 
— to promise "by one's truth." Men and women were betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more before marriage. From the time of betrothal the woman was regarded as the lawful wife of the man to whom she was betrothed (Deuteronomy 28:30; Judges 14:2,8; Matthew 1:18-21). The term is figuratively employed of the spiritual connection between God and his people (Hosea 2:19,20).

c) The Greatness of Jesus Christ Announced to Mary - Luke 1:31-33 - Since here that Mary is from the Royal Line of David through

David's Son Nathan that is only fitting that she is to give birth to royalty, and that the highest Royalty of all Jesus Christ.  The name Jesus (Greek, in Hebrew Joshua, Pronounced Yoshua), Meaning "Savior, Deliverer".  Now first we have Jesus the son of Mary, then we have the Son of God, A King, Here Gabriel is saying Jesus will rule over the House of Jacob, that is the spiritual House, the Spiritual Jews (Born Again Christian Jews/Gentiles).  See (Romans 9:6-9, 27).

d) Power of God Shown to Mary - Luke 1:34-37 - Now here Mary ask the Angel how can she become pregnant since she has never

intimately been with a man for she is a pure virgin.  So here the Angel Gabriel lets Mary know that she will be filled with the Holy

Spirit for the power of God will be with her to do a miracle by her getting pregnant.  He tells her son, Jesus Christ is Holy and is considered in reality that he is the son of the most high that is the SON OF GOD!  This make Jesus Christ equal to God as well

from the beginning of Mary's pregnancy, and from the beginning of the world (John 1:1-5)! 

The Angel Gabriel again shows Mary God's Holy Power by letting her know that Elizabeth being very old and not able to have children is now in her 6 month pregnancy.  Lets NOTE that John the Baptist has to be Born First since he had to prepare the way for Jesus Christ and he can't do that until he was 30 years old because of the way the Jewish culture works and Jesus Christ couldn't do his ministry until he was 30 years old either.  So John the Baptist had 6 months to prepare the peoples hearts for the coming of Jesus Christ.

e) Mary's Great Faith - Luke 1:38 - Even though Mary has never been intimate with a man until  after Jesus Christ is born to her

through the Holy Spirit she had complete Faith in what the Angel Gabriel has told her that she will be with child.  She did not

doubt not even slightly of what Gabriel has told her.  She can teach you and me about having the perfect Faith, (Great Faith). 

When a person even  doubts a little then their Faith is lacking in the Lord as if to say the Lord isn't able to do as he say's.

4) Mary visits Elizabeth - Luke 1:39-45 - (Resources Used, NKJV, The Bible Exposition Commentary NT, Adam Clarkes Commentary,

Jamieson Faucet & Brown Commentary) - To Top^

a) Mary Went to the Land of Judah - Luke 1:39 - So after the Angel Gabriel announced Mary's upcoming pregnancy and birth to the

Messiah, Jesus Christ without hesitation she quickly prepared herself to go and visit her cousin Elizabeth since she was told of her being expecting as well.  She headed to a city known as the city of Priest in the land of Judah.  This is where the Priest Zechariahs

and his wife Elizabeth lived and rightfully so.  Hebron is about 40 miles south of Jerusalem, and about 70 miles south of Nazareth. 

So Mary maybe on foot traveled about 70 miles on foot to Hebron.

b) John the Baptist Leaped w/Joy - Luke 1:40-41 - Even before our Lord Jesus Christ was born while he was still in the womb of

Mary that John the Baptist yet not being born filled with the spirit of God, Elizabeth being 6months along in her pregnancy leaped for joy at the mere presence of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist Except other than Mary and Elizabeth was the first person who rejoiced

because of Jesus Christ.

c) Mary the Blessed Among the Women - Luke 1:42 - Now here the scriptures states that Mary is blessed among women, not above

women for Mary is a undeserving person, a sinner as much as the rest of us.  But God has chosen her out of all women to carry and give birth to Jesus Christ our Messiah because of her love and obedience to God.

d) Gods Grace (Kindness) Shown to Elizabeth - Luke 1:43-44 - God again has shown his grace (Kindness) to another woman,

Elizabeth to give birth to the one who will prepare the way for the Messiah Jesus Christ.  Here Elizabeth being a righteous women, God has shown his grace, his kindness to her so that she would see our Lord Jesus Christ Mother, Mary.  Here also seems to show that God wanted the world to know it is time for rejoicing for a savior has come, a Messiah and savior, the world's hope of salvation through his son Jesus Christ.

e) Mary's Faith, Gods Power and his Miracle - Luke 1:45 - Here we see Mary's Faith remained in God at what the Angel Gabriel told

Mary of her becoming pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Mary kept her Faith by evidence of her works regarding her Faith in the fact that she did not doubt nor did she waver in her Faith.  For she is seeing the power of God, his miracle working through her because of her perfect Faith in God!

5) The Song of Mary - Luke 1:46-56 - (Resources Used, NKJV, Adam Clarke Commentary, The Bible Exposition Commentary NT) -

To Top^  a) Mary Rejoices to the Lord - Luke 1:46-47 - Here it seems Mary filled with the power of God with the Holy Spirit that she starts off right in front of Elizabeth praising and rejoicing to God!  She does not give her self or any one else credit for the work done in her was not from her self but from God instead, by the power of God through the Holy Spirit.  Here Mary is extremely happy and I wouldn't even be surprised if she also danced unto God while praising him in song.

b) Why Mary Was Praising and Rejoicing to God - Luke 1:48-49 - All this is because God has shown Mary in her humble and meek

state that he favored her and blessed her even though she doesn't deserve such a high Blessing as giving birth to the savior of the world to carry Gods own son that he would trust her with such a major responsibility!  And in her saying all nations will be blessed, meaning all nations will have the opportunity and hope of Salvation if they repent, deny their selves, pick up their crosses and follow our Lord Jesus Christ!

c) Gods Mercy on those who fears Him with Reverence - Luke 1:50-55 - For those that are Gods Children, not Israelites but those

Jews and Gentile that has Faith in him, in the Old Testament and those of the New Testament.  These are those who fear God with reverence and honor to his Holy Name.  Here Mary shows us that God has mercy of them, they that are humble, the helpless, and those that are hungry. In those times though they were terrible times for the common man, the common Jews since the Roman Empire was in charge of Israel.  The common man did not have any civil rights in order to fight the unjust government system, they were often trampled on by the rich, the oppressor of the age.

d) Mary's Vision - Luke 1:51-53 - Since in those days between the Roman Empire and the Hypocritical Jews, that the common man,

the common Jew was severely oppressed and trampled on as though they were nothing.  So Mary imagined and of course knowing Gods strong Arm that scatters the proud, that pulled down government officials, Princes, and Kings even business owners from their positions of high to a lowly place of destruction.  She also imagined and knowing that Gods strong Arm will also tear down the rich form their wicked oppressions of the common man to a utter destruction.

e) Mary's Stay with Elizabeth - Luke 1:56 - Mary arrived at Elizabeth's when Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant until about the time of

John the Baptist Birth.  So then Mary was at the beginning of her pregnancy.  So she had to return to her home to take care of her

self during her own pregnancy.

6) Birth of John the Baptist - Luke 1:57-58 -  (Resources Used, NKJV, Adam Clarkes Commentary, The Bible Exposition

Commentary NT ) - To Top^

a) Johns Purpose - Luke 1:57 - Now as promised by the Lord a boy, not a girl was Born to Zechariahs and Elizabeth.  A girl they

were not allowed to have since God had men as leaders since the wicked feminism has not yet been started.  For man is head of the woman (1 Corinthians 11:3).  It is a male that had to prepare the way for our Lord Jesus Christ, that is to prepare the peoples hearts for his coming.  So John's entire purpose was not to go to college, nor have a wife or kids, nor anything that you and I do have as the

world does.  His purpose at the age of 30 as the culture was, is to prepare the way, that is peoples hearts for the coming of Jesus

Christ.  This is also how salvation works.  First a persons heart has to be prepared to receive Christ, then to repent and then Believe in Christ.

b) Elizabeth's Neighbors Rejoice - Luke 1:58 - There are 2 reasons for this rejoicing one is that Elizabeth was finally able to have a

healthy child and #2 for this is for the important work (Blessing of God) for John to do, a special task that the people may have not

yet known about.  But they may have remembered when Zechariahs was in the temple for a long time and became mute and then when Zachariah's wrote his name will be John he began to speak.

c) Summary of Birth of John the Baptist - Luke 1:57-58 - 1) John's entire purpose was to prepare peoples hearts for the coming of Jesus

Christ for salvation.  This is how true salvation is done, 1a) God prepares the Heart 1b) the person repents (realizes their sins  1c) they believe in Christ w/Faith and by obeying what he teaches.  2) Reasons they rejoiced 2a) Elizabeth finally able to have a healthy child. 

2b) The people may have remembered Zechariahs being in temple for a long time regarding the upcoming birth of John the Baptist. 

They most likely knew that John was appointed a important task by God.

7) Circumcision of John the Baptist - Luke 1:59-66 - (Resources Used, NKJV, Adam Clarkes Commentary, KJV Bible, Hitchcock's

Bible Names, ) - To Top^

a) Circumcision, Shadow of Circumcision of the Heart - Luke 1:59 - The Priest Zechariahs obeyed Gods Command (Gen 17:10-14) in

having John the Baptist circumcised on the 8th day as a covenant between them and God. But this here is the shadow of good

things to come (NT Col 3:17 & Heb 8:5, 10:1) that is to give us an idea, a example if you will of circumcision of the heart, to turn a

heart of stone into a heart of flesh in the New Testament (Jeremiah 31:31-33, 2 Corinthians 3:1-3).  We must remember though that

at this time Jesus Christ has not yet been born as Born is in the 4 gospels but especially remember that Jesus Christ has not yet

died on the cross for the New Covenant to start, to super secede the old covenant.

b) Importance of John's Name - Luke 1:59-63 - Normally in the Jewish customs that a boy child would be named after the dad or at

least one of his dad's relatives.  In those days a person's name would have a very serious meaning, especially those that was

appointed by God for his future plans.  Such as Zechariahs (Zachariah) meaning "memory of the Lord (Yahweh)" and Elizabeth

meaning "the Sabbath or rest of my strong God".  Now the Angel Gabriel commanded Zechariahs to call his son "John", to which

means "the grace or mercy of the Lord (Yahweh)"'  This shows the world that by Gods mercy and Grace the coming of his son, our Messiah Jesus Christ and it all starts with John preparing the peoples hearts for him, for salvation.

Hitchcock's Bible Names;

John - *the grace or mercy of the Lord - (BIBLICAL RELEVANCE) - refers to Gods grace and mercy is giving to us Jesus Chris to

die for our sins

Zachariah (Zacharias) - *Memory of the Lord - (BIBLICAL RELEVANCE) - The Lord remembered Zechariahs in answering his

prayer of having a son with a yes, and a special son at that; John the Baptist., the one who prepares peoples hearts for Jesus Christ.

Elizabeth (Elisabeth) - *the Sabbath or Rest -  (BIBLICAL RELEVANCE) - this refers to a Sabbath rest in Jesus Christ, for he is

our rest from our sins, our wickedness and the wickedness of this world for we are no longer part of it even through we are in it.

c) Importance of John the Baptist - Luke 1:64-66 - Now since Zechariahs could not speak a word for about 9 months, fear fell on the

people because of the Miracle of Zechariahs being able to speak.  And in that and the naming of John the Baptist the people knew

God has special plans for John the Baptist but they did not have the slightest idea of what that special calling is.

8) Zechariahs Prophecy - Luke 1:67-80 -  (Resources Used, NKJV, Jamieson Faucet & Brown Commentaries, The Bible Exposition

Commentary NT, NIV Bible, ESV Bible, Adam Clarkes Commentary, ) - To Top^

a) God Speaks Through Zechariah - Luke 1:67 -  God spoke to the people through Zechariah, John the Baptist dad, (through Prophecy)

concerning John the Baptist his son and especially our Lord and Jesus Christ for this is an announcement of the coming Messiah.

This is another way to prepare the peoples hearts and minds concerning the coming of Jesus Christ our savior!

b) Salvation for Gods People - Luke 1:68-69 - Now Gods People are not those that are born in Israel (Matthew 3:9-10,

Romans 9:6-13).  Gods people are those Jew and Gentile that has FAITH IN GOD as Abraham did in the Old Testament and as Christians, Jew and Gentile has in Jesus Christ the New Testament.  as it is written; The Just Lives by Faith (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:16-17,  Galatians 2:20, 3:11, Hebrews 10:38-39).  Now for salvation it is Jesus Christ who will come in the near future that Zechariahs has prophecy about in redeeming his people,  that is those that has Faith in Jesus Christ, Jew and Gentile, that is giving them salvation, save them from sins, from the wrath of God (John 3:36, Romans 1:18, Ephesians 5:6, Colossians 3:6, Revelations 15:7).

c) God Spoke through the Prophets - Luke 1:70 - Here Zechariahs is telling us that God spoke through his prophets for his prophets

did not speak on their own or through their own imaginations or ideas, but God spoke through them.  God used them to get his messages out to the people.  In these modern times this is one concept that most Christians do not understanding for when a Brother or sister, a servants of Christ speaks, Jesus Christ may be speaking through them giving them a message.  But then there are those like the wolf Kenneth Copeland that says the Lord is speaking through him and yet the Lord isn't speaking through him since Kenneth does not speak the truth in accordance to Jesus Christ teachings!  Always compare to what a person says to the scriptures to make sure they are speaking truth!

d) Jesus Christ Saves - Luke 1:71 - The meaning here "Saved from our Enemies" means saved from sin, from the power of Satan over

us, for it is sin that gives Satan the power he needs to get us to do his will, his evil against God and against others.  Satan uses our

sin to deceive us and to deceive and destroy others in one way or the other.  And just some of those evils can be Jealousy, Adultery, Hatred, Drunkard, Addictions Spouse and Child Abuse, False Religions, Theft, and so and so on.

e) Gods Promises - Luke 1:72-73 - The meaning of these two verses is that the House of David has fallen due to Israel's rebellion

against God (See the last few Books of the Old Testament), for Israel lived according to their own ways, the flesh and got involved in Idolatry, (Worshipping other Gods) instead of worshipping God in Faith.  So Zechariahs Prophecy is about God restoring the House of David through his son Jesus Christ for all Jew and Gentile that comes to Christ in repentance, self denial, picking up their cross and puts their Faith in Him, (Follow Christ) (Matthew 16:24-27).

f) Delivered from Ungodliness to live Holy - Luke 1:74-75 - God through Jesus Christ shall deliver us from the evil one

(Matthew 6:13) to which is our enemy, so that we may not be in bondage to the elements of this world (Galatians 4:3) but instead we become slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:18-19).  So then now being slaves to righteousness that we may become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29) and in doing that our hearts and minds learn to have the same outlook, goals, and even the personality of Christ so that we may help to advance the Kingdom of God (Colossians 4:11) for Gods Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)!

g) The Knowledge of Salvation - Luke 1:76-79 - Zechariahs Prophecy continues to speak of John the Baptist who prepares the way of

Jesus Christ that is to prepare peoples hearts for his coming by giving the people the knowledge of Salvation that starts with

repentance, that is the "Remission" of sins, so that they may receive forgiveness of their sins.  For those who are in bondage to their sins, that do not know God, (those in darkness) shall receive the light (Jesus Christ) so that they may have peace with-in their own hearts, their own conscious.

Nelson's Bible Dictionary REMISSION
To be released or set free from sin (Acts 2:38; Hebrews 9:22). The active nature of the word for remission in the Greek language indicates that forgiveness is more than a passive act on God's part. Through the death of His Son, God has taken the initiative to break the grip of sin and set man free for a new way of life in God's Spirit. Also see FORGIVENESS; REPENTANCE.

h) Until the Time of Johns Ministry - Luke 1:80 - John the Baptist then grew strong in the spirit of God and was not known to

the Jews until it was time.  John did not enter the ministry until he was 30 years old since the Jewish law did not allow a man to enter into ministry until he was 30 years old (Numbers 4:3, Luke 3:23).  So John did not come to the people saying repent until he has reached the age of 30.  And NOTE; that women were never allowed to enter into ministry, not as far as being a priest or teacher since that would give her authority over men to which even Apostle Paul did not allow a women to do nor does a woman have authority to teach a man  (1 Timothy 2:12).

9) The Birth of Jesus Christ - Luke 2:1-7 - (Matthew 1:18-25) - To Top^

a) Luke 2:1-2 - Roman Empire Takes a Census - It seems here that the Roman Empire is just as organized as well as the USA is in today's

times as far as doing a census taking & giving a decree (order) to do so.  First off a decree, that is a order from the Roman Empire's ruler Caesar Augustus for all of their regions with-in the Empire only to do a census for the purpose of determining their population and for taxation purposes as well.  The people including Joseph & Mary had to return to the city to which his genealogy is from in order to do the census.

MSN Works Dictionary 9 - Definition de·cree [di kr] n (plural de·crees) official order: an order with the power of legislation issued by a ruler or other person or group with authority

MSN Works Dictionary 9 Definition - cen·sus cen·sus [sénssəss] (plural cen·sus·es) n 
1. count of population: an official count of a population carried out at set intervals 
2. systematic count: a systematic count or survey 
3. registration for taxation in ancient Rome: in ancient Rome, a registration of the population and their property that was used for assessing taxes 
[Early 17th century. < Latin < censere "appraise"]

b) Luke 2:3-5 - Joseph & Mary Went to be Registered - Joseph as many did went to the cities that their (genealogy) ancestors are from in

order to be registered by the Roman Empire as ordered with his betrothed (Wife) Mary was in her full term pregnancy.  They left from Nazareth, the region of Galilee and went south west from there and traveled many miles to the city of David, that is Bethlehem located on the southern side of Jerusalem, more like a suburb like a small city outside of a large city.

(Definition of Betroth) - (Easton's Bible Dictionary) - to promise "by one's truth." Men and women were betrothed when they were engaged to be married. This usually took place a year or more before marriage. From the time of betrothal the woman was regarded as the lawful wife of the man to whom she was betrothed (Deuteronomy 28:30; Judges 14:2,8; Matthew 1:18-21). The term is figuratively employed of the spiritual connection between God and his people (Hosea 2:19,20).

c) Luke 2:6-7 - Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ - Our savior was born while Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem.  This was Gods

Grace, in other words his loving kindness to give us his son to be sacrificed for our sins and in that this is  a great day for the

world that God has brought fourth his son through Mary.  But this baby, our Messiah, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings was

not born in a palace, but in a barn and Mary laid him in a animal eating trough instead, a manger.  She wrapped Jesus up in

swaddling cloths as here. There were no fancy means for them at all.

MSN Works Dictionary 9 - swad·dle swad·dle [swódd'l] (past and past participle swad·dled, present participle swad·dling, 3rd person present singular swad·dles) vt 
1. wrap somebody in something: to wrap or bandage somebody or something with something 
2. wrap baby up tightly: to wrap a baby tightly in soft material 
3. smother somebody or something: to restrain somebody or something with a complete wrapping 
[15th century. < form of swathe ]

MSN Works Dictionary 9 - man·ger man·ger [máynjər] (plural man·gers) n 
eating trough for animals: a trough from which livestock eat 
[14th century. < Old French mangeoire < mangier "eat" < Latin manducare "chew" < mandere ]

10) Glory in the Highest - Luke 2:8-20