In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
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, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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. Luke 2:1-7 (CSB)
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A census sent Mary and Joseph to the place prophesied by Micah for Jesus' birth, the town of Bethlehem. This was all a part of God's sovereign plan, but it wasn't an easy plan for Mary and Joseph. Because the town was small and many people were there for the census, the friends or family with whom they were staying had no room for them in the family's living quarters,* so they stayed in the part of the home where the animals were kept. Jesus starts his life in a make-shift animal feeding trough cradle.
The story of Jesus' birth overwhelms us with its humble conditions and unpretentious description of what is undoubtedly the most amazing and important birth event in history. The God who created the entire universe enters his creation in obscurity. His parents are peasants who place him in an animal's feeding trough to sleep. How astounding is the humility of God! His plan is certainly not one any man would have devised. God's ways truly are not our ways.
Jesus set aside many of his divine prerogatives, or “emptied himself” (Philippians 2:7 CSB), in order to join us in our humanity. What are we willing to give up to join him in a divine love relationship? What things act as a roadblock to a deeper, more satisfying relationship with God? It is not “things” that make us complete. We need a relationship with the Creator of the universe who gave himself to save us. He loves us as no person ever could.
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Holy God, I magnify you as I read of your humility in joining with our humanity in the lowliest way. I thank you Jesus for divesting yourself of your majesty in order to initiate your plan of redemption. Please help me to experience life through the lens of your humility and love. Your glory shines in all you do! Amen.
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*Though Bible leaves no doubt that Jesus' family stayed in an area where animals were kept, there is uncertainty about whether it was part of a home, an inn or even a cave!
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Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Illustration from Good News Productions International and College Press Publishing
I’ve received so much reading these devotionals. i love the historical and scientific background that you bring into the posts. Thank you Sandy.