Christ's Life Prior to His Ministry II: Sections 10-12

Section 10

THE BIRTH OF JESUS
(At Bethlehem of Judea, B. C. 5.) 
LUKE 2: 1-7

The birth of Christ in Bethlehem fulfills Micah's prophecy:

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Micah 5:2

Section 11
THE BIRTH OF JESUS PROCLAIMED BY ANGELS TO THE SHEPHERDS
(Near Bethlehem, B. C. 5.) 
LUKE 2: 8-20

Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 

"came upon" = stand upon, before, beside, over, appeared

Fourfold Gospel: "He stood upon the earth at their side, and did not float above them in the heavens, as he is usually pictured. His standing upon the earth shows a fuller fellowship and sympathy with men--comp. Acts 1:10

Acts 1:10 is Christ's ascension to Heaven.

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel. Acts 1:10

I'm not sure if I fully can verify Fourfold's perspective here...."stand upon" seems to have multiple associations.  The Message has "stood among them" and CEV "came down to them."  In any regard, it's telling that the angel goes to the lowly to announce a "lowly" King.

"And is there not a world of meaning in the fact that it was very ordinary people, busy about very ordinary tasks, whose eyes first saw the glory of the coming of the Lord? It means, first, that the place of duty, however humble, is the place of vision. And it means, second, that it is the men who have kept to the deep, simple pieties of life and have not lost the child heart to whom the gates of the Kingdom most readily open." -James S. Stewart

"The glory of the Lord shone round them"---Fourfold identifies this as "the Shechinah, or bright cloud, which symbolizes the divine presence."

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” "-Luke 2:13-14

 From Fourfold: "The angels invoke blessing on God and peace upon man. Peace between God and man, and ultimately peace between man and man] in whom he is well pleased. [The love of God is shed abroad upon all, even the vilest of sinners (Rom. 5:8; I. Tim.1:15); but his peace comes upon those who have accepted his Son, and in whom he is therefore especially well pleased (Rom. 9:11). Peace is the unfailing apostolic salutation toward Christians (Rom. 1:7; I. Cor. 1:3; II. Cor. 1:2, etc.), and is attainable in the highest degree by Christians only--John 14:27; 16:33; Col. 3:15; Phil. 4:7.] "

And yet, as a group, I think the world would associate Christians as a group with "judgement" and eastern religions with "peace."  I'm not sure how Christians got to this point as a group--reminds me more of how the Jews in Jesus' day were focused on the minutia of behavior as opposed to loving their brother.  The primary message as "peace" between God and man through Christ is significant.  No real peace without Christ---true---but outsiders see the judgement and not the peace.  Through the relationship comes peace.

12. CIRCUMCISION
TEMPLE SERVICE,AND NAMING OF JESUS
(The Temple at Jerusalem, B. C. 4) 
LUKE 2: 21-39

A man named Simeon is significant at Jesus' dedication at the temple.  He is described as "just and devout," a man who was waiting for the consolation of Jerusalem.  Simeon has been told that he will see the Messiah before he dies.  He blesses God and the child saying

"Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;  Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:34-35

From Robertson's Word Pictures:

“Judas despairs, Peter repents: one robber blasphemes, the other confesses” (Plummer). Jesus is the magnet of the ages. He draws some, he repels others.

The divisive nature of Christ:

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a sign and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Isaiah 8:14

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 9:32-33

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. 1 Corinthians 1:23

For no other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.-1 Corinthians 3:11 

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Acts 4:11

BKC: Simeon noted that the Messiah was to be for the Gentiles as well as for Israel. The idea of salvation for the Gentiles is set forth many times in the Gospel of Luke.