The Cradle

Today I have been given the joyful opportunity to give you the account of Jesus Birth.

Luke 2:1–22 CSB

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. 2 This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 Then she gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him tightly in cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told. 21 When the eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus—the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

I have always been fascinated by the announcement of Jesus birth. It was birth that was foretold In the Old testament and announced by angles to the shepherds and in the heavens by astronomical signs to the magi. There are many theories of how the magi recognized the sign.

Is that Daniel in the Persian empire after the episode of the lions, rose to the kings court. Here he would have talked about the prophecies to those whom he served alongside. This knowledge would have been passed down.

2. The Magi would have studied all major religions and traditions as they were basically scholars of the supernatural. They would have studied the Hebrew scriptures alongside other religious texts. It was there job to interpret the supernatural world around them and to be advisors to dignitaries, queens and kings. They were there to know what the gods might want of man.

they would have watched the heavens for any major changes and then tried to interpret them trough the lens of the worlds religions.

So when they saw something change...they took notice

3. Next is the star. Some scholars suggest that it was possibly a comet that first appeared traveling through the constellation virgo, or the virgin. A comet also resembles a scepter having a long tail.

Quite literally fulfilling the following scriptures.

Isaiah 7:14 CSB

14 Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

Numbers 24:17

Numbers 24:17 CSB

I see him, but not now; I perceive him, but not near. A star will come from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will smash the forehead of Moab and strike downD all the Shethites.

And Isaiah 9:2

Isaiah 9:2 CSB

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.

The idea that Jesus was the light and would be symbolized in the heavens by a celestial light is unbelievably fascinating . To the magi - this would have been as obvious to them as the announcement to the Shepherds by the angels. As amazing as all of this is, it is easy to miss the point. It wasnt that a baby was born. A Birth that so important that both the natural and supernatural, the stars in heavens and the angels from the heavenly realm would announce his birth. A birth so significant that it would split history in two. It wasn’t just a Romantic story about a Manger and a young couple recently married in need of a place to stay. It wasn’t even the supernatural signs.

It was the account of the Messiah -king, The God who took on flesh not to entertain us with a story or to give us another holiday to celebrate but rather to come with a purpose that only he could fulfill. What could this baby bring into the world that other royalty and people of influence could not? The answer is not found in the stars, or in the field with the shepherds or even at the manger but at the cross.