The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-7

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

During the time of emperor Caesar Augustus, he decided that the entire world should be taxed. During this time, the mother of Jesus was full with child. See the Savior of the World, was subject to taxation for He took the form of a servant and not as the King of Kings; He came as a servant to the Kings and yet was the King of Kings. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” He came to minister and give His life a ransom for many and not to be ministered to. Every one had to go to their city and so Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem of Judah for they were of David’s lineage, to fulfill the plan of God for the birth of Jesus Christ. Micah, a prophet prophesies the birth of Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem as it says in Micah 5:2. It says, “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.” Bethlehem is the town of David’s birth and it was to be the town of Jesus’ birth. Jesus Christ was the son of David (Matthew 1:1). Even though the town is little among the thousands of Judah, through this little town the Savior, who was and is the Bread of Life was born. Bethlehem stands for “House of Bread” and the Bread of Life is our Savior Jesus Christ; any one who feeds on this divine Bread shall never hunger and so the divine plan for Jesus’ birth was in this little town. He chose the lowliest town and came through a Virgin Mary who was from a low estate.

While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the days were accomplished and Mary brought forth a child, who was their firstborn, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. There was no room in the inn for this Savior and Mary and Joseph had to find a place in the stable where the animals are kept and fed. Manger is the trough made of stone that is used to hold the food for the animals. The Savior had no cradle to lie in and He rested in a manger. Look at the most humble state in which Jesus was born; there was no room for Him; He was born in a stable; wrapped in swaddling clothes; laid in a manger. The one through whom the whole world would seek rest had no room for birth! The swaddling clothes are wrapped around a child to restrict movement and He was wrapped in these to keep Him from movement, yet He came to free us from our sin, error and guilt. When we are pining in error, we are wrapped in the swaddling clothes and lie in our devastated state until some one can grant us the Salvation and set us free. This some one is our Jesus Christ and let us all seek the freedom that He grants us which is precious and everlasting. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger alongside the animals there. He was the Good Shepherd who cared(s) for His flock (us) and brings us all under His shelter to be protected by Him. Under His care why should we be anxious or fret about anything?

Around this special season when we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, let us not so much dwell on the traditions and customs that overshadow why Jesus came to this earth. The traditions and customs make us lose focus on Jesus and turn our attention to the mundane stories not so divine. Jesus, the immaculate one, was God’s chosen one, God’s only son, who obeyed His Father to the fullest, let God’s will in His life, fulfilled God’s plan and purpose for our sakes yet is a God Himself, the Messiah of the World, who gave His life a ransom for us, that we through Him might gain eternal life.

WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE! Focus on Jesus and be mightily blessed from the hand of God.

Next: The Shepherds and the Angels