Christ has come

Introduction

Tonight, on this Christmas Eve, we turn our attention to a passage that may feel overly familiar because it’s traditionally associated with this season. But I hope that hearing it tonight, outside the typical “holiday hustle,” will allow us to focus on its deeper significance. This isn’t just a story to warm our hearts; it’s the announcement of the most important event in history—the coming of the long-awaited Christ.

The Setting of Christ’s Birth

The story begins with a decree from Caesar Augustus, the ruler of the Roman Empire. Luke writes:

Luke 2:1 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

Caesar Augustus, whose real name was Octavian, wasn’t just any ruler. He was Julius Caesar’s great-nephew, who clawed his way to power through force and cunning.

He was the first to be given the title “Augustus,” meaning “holy” or “revered,” a term previously reserved for the gods. Under his rule, emperor worship began, and many referred to him as “savior” and “the bringer of peace.” This “peace,” known as the Pax Romana, was a fragile peace enforced by violence.

It’s into this dark and oppressive context that Jesus was born—not in the halls of power but in a small, insignificant village called Bethlehem.

Mary and Joseph were ordinary people by the world’s standards—poor and uneducated—but God chose them to play a central role in His divine plan. Seven hundred years earlier, the prophet Micah had foretold:

Micah 5:2 ESV

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to comply with the Roman census, unaware that their journey was setting the stage for prophecy to be fulfilled. They may have appeared to be insignificant pawns in history, but every step they took was guided by God.

The Humility of Christ’s Birth

Luke recounts the moment of Christ’s birth with striking simplicity:

Luke 2:6–7 ESV

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.

Let’s not romanticize this moment. Mary and Joseph weren’t in a clean, cozy stable like we often imagine. Lodging in those days was primitive, typically a series of stalls surrounding a common courtyard where animals were kept. With no space available, Mary likely gave birth in the open barnyard, surrounded by animals.

The Son of God, who left the splendor of heaven, entered the world in the most humble of circumstances. Born in a barnyard, wrapped in strips of cloth, and laid in a feeding trough, Jesus’ birth wasn’t regal but scandalous. It was messy, raw, and lowly—a stark contrast to the grandeur of Caesar Augustus.

Jesus didn’t come as a prince; He came as a pauper. This humility sets the tone for His entire ministry and provides a beautiful picture of how God works. He comes to those who recognize their need, who are humble and broken, just as He did that night in Bethlehem.

The Meaning of the Incarnation

The significance of the incarnation is revealed in what follows. Luke shifts our attention to a field outside Bethlehem, where shepherds are keeping watch over their flocks. Shepherds were outcasts, despised by society, considered untrustworthy and ceremonially unclean. Yet, it’s to these lowly individuals that God sends His angelic messengers:

Luke 2:9–11 ESV

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The angel’s message is clear: the long-awaited Messiah has come. This good news isn’t reserved for the powerful or the privileged—it’s for all people.

As soon as the angel delivers this message, a multitude of heavenly hosts joins him, praising God:

Luke 2:14 ESV

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

This announcement declares the true meaning of the incarnation: God stepped into human flesh to bring salvation to the world. Unlike Caesar Augustus, who imposed peace through force, Jesus brings true peace—peace with God, made possible through His life, death, and resurrection.

The eternal second person of the Trinity humbled Himself, taking on a human nature. He became fully human while remaining fully divine.

The writer of Hebrews captures this beautifully:

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

This is the wonder of the incarnation. God understands our struggles and weaknesses because He became one of us.

The Effect of the Incarnation

The shepherds’ reaction to the angelic announcement is immediate and enthusiastic:

Luke 2:15–16 ESV

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

After seeing the Christ child, the shepherds can’t keep the good news to themselves:

Luke 2:17–18 ESV

17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

These outcasts, who were not even allowed to testify in court, became the first human witnesses to the Messiah’s birth. They glorified and praised God, sharing the news of Christ’s arrival with everyone they met.

This response challenges us. It’s not enough to hear the story of Jesus’ birth and think, “What a beautiful scene.” Christ didn’t come just to be born in a manger; He came to be born in our hearts. The good news of the incarnation demands a response—faith, obedience, followed by a willingness to share this hope with others.

Conclusion

The long-awaited Christ has come. The true Savior isn’t Caesar Augustus or any earthly ruler but Jesus, the Son of God, who took on flesh to save us. The incarnation is real, and its implications are life-changing.

Jesus, fully God and fully man, understands our struggles and sympathizes with our weaknesses. He took on human flesh so that He could stand in our place, take the judgment for our sin, and offer us forgiveness.

Tonight, as we reflect on the birth of Christ, let us not stop at the manger. The Christ who was born in Bethlehem must be born in our hearts. Just as the shepherds couldn’t keep the good news to themselves, neither should we.

The Savior has come. His name is Jesus, and He brings true peace—peace with God and peace that transforms our lives.