Around this time, Emperor Augustus issued an order for a census to be taken throughout the Empire. Luke 2:1 CJB
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.*
Oh, sleepy town of David—Bethlehem, the House of Bread—overwhelmed with visitors. Caesar decreed, so “Everyone went to be registered, each to his own town” (Luke 2:3). People with family or means fill every home or rented every room. The rest find shelter where they can. Shepherds rest in the open fields under a clear sky, captivated by the stars. They listen through the usual nighttime noises rippling through the flock, alert for sounds of a threat. The descendants of David, all of them, sleep through the quiet night. The visitors won’t stay long. They will rest from their travel, visit with relatives, and wait to register until they leave for home.
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, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Luke 2:4-5 ESV
In all the crazy-busy of the masses arriving in town and settling their families and the herds they were forced to bring with them, an unknown teenager and her husband slip through the crowds. Their travel took longer than it would; it was slow going with her need to rest and drink and eat so often. The healthy boy kicked and rolled inside Mary’s belly. “He’ll be here soon. Jesus will be born in Bethlehem. Tonight?” she wondered.
Joseph was a good man. Even so, he’d been pushed so far. Mary was beautiful and kind and precious to him; he loved her. Tonight he would care for her and the child. It was the right thing, the honorable thing. The baby would be born in Bethlehem. He would help. They would figure it out together.
The young couple’s larger family group traveled separately and more quickly for the census. By now they were settled, and no one expected the couple to join them. Joseph would have to find a quiet place of their own for their stay.
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. Luke 2:7 ESV
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.*
And there He was. Larger than all of the universe and smaller than a bread box. Lord of all and Servant of all. God slipped into the creation He made with a word—and He was the Word.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. John 1:10 NLT
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT
God is a loving and generous Gift-giver, so He offered a few the opportunity of a lifetime.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
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.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. Luke 2:8-18 ESV
The shepherds heard the news and they went to see Him! And do you see what I see? “And all who heard it wondered.” Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and who else? It doesn’t say, but news of a beautiful baby travels fast in almost any culture. Add an angelic birth announcement, and people have something to talk about.
Two thousand years later, people are still talking. Some are interested in religious things or decorated things or sales increase things. ‘Tis the season. But there’s nothing in that. No “God with us.” No help for this life or relief from sin and suffering. If you want the real truth, love, and power of Jesus at Christmas listen closely.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.*
It’s all about Jesus. He’s the reason for the season, and I desperately need Him. We desperately need Him.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today.*
When I think of the coming Savior King at Christmas, I am amazed. Jesus was God and man. That He stepped down from heaven to earth is incredible. That He became one of us is mind-blowing. That His mission was to reconcile sinful humankind to Holy God is pure love.
I want my heart to be the place Jesus casts out sin, enters, and lives. I want a new heart, mind, and life because of the love of Jesus. You?
I also want to remember that, while He came to us as a baby, the rest of the story is amazing! Jesus grew up and now reigns as King of all from heaven. Now that’s a story worth reading. Do you know how it goes?
* Lyrics from O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Phillips Brooks and Lewis Redner.