As we read, I need to remind myself that we are reading in the book of Luke.  I was surprised when the angel appearing to Joseph was not mentioned, but then I remembered that was recorded in the book of Matthew which we will read later. 

I was also struck by the pairing of the blessings and the woes in Luke.  The blessings have a tendency to make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and then we are brought back to reality by the woes.  Before we start thinking too highly of ourselves, God reminds us where we came from, or in some cases where we are, and reminds us there is always room for improvement.