There is nothing quite so exciting as a new baby. Family comes out of the woodwork, coming to see the little one and friends and neighbors all show up as well. Everyone wants to see the new arrival. New babies are so precious and they can bring such joy into our lives. Today, we will see the birth of the most precious baby of them all.
Verses 1-2 are meant to record the time of his birth. Caesar Augustus rules in Rome and Quirinius was governor of Syria. Since we know from Matthew that Herod the Great was King in Palestine at the time of Jesus’ birth and the visit of the Magi (Matt 2:1) and he died in 4 BC, most theologians put Jesus’ birth somewhere between 6 and 4 BC.
Read verses 2-5. Caesar Augustus had issued a decree that everyone in the Roman Empire was to be taxed. In order for this to be accomplished, each person had to register for a census in their own town of origin. We know that Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth at that time, but Joseph would need to go to Bethlehem to register for the census. Bethlehem was the city of King David and we know that Joseph was of the lineage of King David. Notice that the Bible tells us he took Mary with him and that she was ‘great with child’. This means that she was at the end of her pregnancy, feeling huge and miserable. What an inconvenient time to have to travel to Bethlehem. Bethlehem is a good distance from Nazareth with quite a few hills and mountains in between, so this was not an easy trip for the couple, especially with Mary already having reached full term. Think of this geography in terms of the following Scriptures:
- Matt 2:23
- Micah 5:2
- Isaiah 9:7
God’s prophets foretold this geography long before the child was born.
I want you to look closely at verse 5 with me. This is an important topic and is often discussed among theologians. Here, Mary is called Joseph’s ‘espoused wife’. In Bible times, espousal was the ceremony of becoming betrothed and we know that Mary and Joseph were betrothed to each other. Betrothal is stronger than the engagements we practice today and carries a much stronger legal commitment. And we know from our last lesson (Matt 1:24) that Joseph had gone ahead and taken Mary to be his wife. However, in those days, physical intimacy was part of the marriage process. Even though they moved forward to marriage, and lived together as man and wife, we know from Matthew’s gospel that they did not have physical relations until after the birth of the child (Matt 1:25). This preserves the context of a virgin birth… not just a virgin conception (Isa 7:14).
Verses 6-7 tell us that while Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came to deliver the child, her firstborn son. We know that Mary had other children after this (Matt 13:55-56), but that this was her firstborn. She swaddled him and placed him in a manger. The Bible tells us this is because the inn was full… they couldn’t get a room so they were in the barn with the animals. And in those days, mangers were used as feed troughs, but also the young babies of animals were often placed in mangers to keep them safe where they wouldn’t be trampled or fall. This manger was probably both a bed and a safe place to set the baby. Our Lord entered the world in as lowly a way as possible, without kingly pomp and circumstance.
How sad that the mother of our Lord had to deliver her baby in a barn and place him in a manger. But this is so representative of how our Lord is often treated, even today, as if there is no room in our lives for him. At Christmas, we celebrate the Lord’s birth and we think about His role in our lives, but this should be a year-round thing where we constantly are making room in our hearts and lives for our Lord and Savior.
Read verses 8-12. Not too far from where our Lord was born, there were some shepherds. And notice, we are told that an angel (only one) appeared to them and that God’s glory shone around them. God’s glory was surrounding the shepherds. It must have been staggering to see as the shepherds, we are told, were very afraid. The angel announces to them that today, the Messiah was born and he tells them where to find the Child and how to recognize Him. The angel intends for them to go and find the child. This announcement, by the angel, was made to the commonest of people, not VIPs. God often chooses to show Himself through the commonest of people (I Cor 1: 26-31) for His good purpose.
Read verses 13-14. No sooner had the angel made this announcement than suddenly, a Heavenly choir of angels appears praising God and giving Him glory, declaring peace on earth. Jesus is often called ‘the Prince of Peace’ and the angels are announcing that this child will bring peace on earth between man and God. This fulfills Zacharias’ prophecy (Luke 1:79) and brings us to the New Testament teaching that Jesus brings us into peace with God (Rom 5:1, Eph 2:14-19).
Verses 15-18 tell us that the shepherds responded immediately. They did not hesitate once they heard the news. And once they had seen him, they spread the word to others and that those who heard were amazed. This is God’s plan. We learn of Jesus and we come to Him, opening our hearts completely and sharing Him with others that they can know Him, too, and find peace with God. Verse 20 tells us that when the shepherds went back to their fields, they were still praising and glorifying God. This should be our response also continuing to praise Him as we go about our lives. The verse also says that they found things just as they were told… God is reliable.
And verse 19 tells us about Mary. She treasured all these memories in her heart. And she pondered them.
Record I Tim 3:16 in your journal.
Responding to God: Glorify God for the birth of Jesus and worship Him with love and adoration. Pledge to always make room for Jesus in your heart and to find time for Him. Treasure the memory of His birth and ponder the amazingness of the details. Make praising God part of your everyday practice as you head off to work each day. Pray that others will make room in their hearts for Jesus, as well.
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