Jesus is Born!

Luke 2:1–7 NIV

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Jesus was Laid in a Manger!

When Jesus was born, He was wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger because there was no rooms available for them since the census was taken place. When I first took interest in the Bible, long after I got out of school, I found out that a manger is the trough in the stable used to put animal feed in or fodder which is what is fed to the livestock. This was not a clean, sanitary place that was washed down with Lysol every morning. No, Jesus, God’s gift, His only son, didn’t have a crib, He has a feeding trough!

Just a thought, He was laid there because there was no room for Him at the inn, are we constantly making room for Him in our “inn”?

Luke 2:8–15 NIV

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

The Angels Told the Shepherds!

I think it’s kind of cool that the angels didn’t go to the political leaders or synagogue leaders of the day but they went to shepherds who stayed out in the wilderness with their sheep. I think the more “important” people would not set foot in a stable and believe that the Messiah would be in a feeding trough!

Luke 2:16–20 NIV

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

No Hesitation, Go!

The Shepherds left everything and went to see what the angels told them. They had no problem going into where the animals were. After all the stable was nice accommodations compared to the fields. They told everyone there what the angels had said and everyone was amazed.

Are we still amazed at what Jesus has done for us. Given us the greatest gift. Eternal life. This is was Christmas is all about. Let’s always make room for Him and let’s give the greatest gift there is to gift, Jesus