The Birth of Jesus

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Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 (ESV)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Devotion:

            As we come to the heart of this advent time let us remind ourselves of those events that we celebrate during this season of waiting, hoping, and loving. In Luke’s gospel we encounter perhaps the most detailed account of the birth of Jesus and the events surrounding his birth.

            First, we see that Joseph and Mary had to make the 90 mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem because of a census. Caesar Augustus becomes an unknowing means of fulfilling a prophecy about the Christ child’s birth. (Micah 5:2) By his order people had to register in their familial hometowns. Both Joseph and Mary were part of the house of David whose ancestral city was Bethlehem.

            Once there they were unable to find suitable accommodations, so they had to live in a barn full of animals. It has struck Christians down through the centuries that the creator of the universe would come from such humble beginnings. Jesus should have been born in a palace not a barn. There should have been midwives there to assist Mary as she gave birth to her firstborn son. Instead, the only firsthand witnesses were Joseph and the animals in the barn with her.

            God works in ways we cannot comprehend. It was indeed good that his plan included a birth in a barn to humble parents. Jesus came to be the savior of all the people not a typical ruler. He consistently rejected any offer of an earthly kingship in favor of showing himself to be a servant. Through his submission to the fathers will, we can claim him as our salvation from sin and death.  As we look forward to life everlasting with him, we can rejoice even in sorrow and grief. Jesus will hold us fast in with his never dying love.

Prayer:

            Holy God, we give you thanks for the indescribable gift you have given us in the birth of Jesus. Thank you that he came to save all people from their sins and lift us all to eternal life. Help us as we celebrate his birth to slow down and truly experience the joy of that birth. Jesus came in the form of a servant that we might one day experience a true resurrection life. Help us to see our salvation as we look at the manger and see the one of whom the prophets spoke. Amen

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