Luke 2

Whenever I read this chapter, I always have to read the first part twice (second time slowly) or I find myself not really hearing the words of this chapter (I hate to use the phrase, but perhaps this is a casualty of "perceived overfamiliarity"--we're not actually overfamiliar with this passage, but we think we are because we had to memorize it in church school or we watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" every year).
Here are some observations to perhaps freshen it up again:
(2:1) Caesar Augustus--the other person in the area who claimed to be the son of god (prophets fortold his coming; he was said to usher in the age of peace; of him it was said, "there is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved;" his birth was even fortold by a cosmic event in the heavens--sound familiar?).
(2:8) The shepherds were probably kids--possibly a group of girls.
(2:24) The offering brought by Joseph and Mary tells me that they are not well-off financially speaking (check Lev. 12:8).
(2:29-32) "Simeon's song." This passage is really beautiful. When I was in college (go Calvin!) we sang a very beautiful musical arrangement of this passage. But what I remember most is that right in the middle of our first time through, the director stopped us after the words, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles." He stopped the music and said, "Folks, that's us! That's us! God has opened the way of salvation for us! No matter how often we sing this song, never forget that marvelous truth!" Needless to say, that's left quite an impression on me.
(2:46) Look at what Jesus was doing in the temple: "asking them questions."
(2:52) a great mystery: "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."