Rev. Penelope R. Hall, Ph.D., D.D.
Luke 2: 1–21
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.
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.”
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.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
I bring you good news... a Saviour has been born
This passage of Scripture is so very familiar to many of us; yet as I read it again I am totally in awe of the great mystery that God became a human being and was born as a baby, a helpless infant in the lowliest of circumstances. God became one of us to be our Saviour.
There are four parts in this passage that make me marvel at our compassionate Almighty God: a political mandate, a precarious journey, a profound mystery and a persuasive proclamation. Let’s explore these areas and consider how they affect our lives today and our understanding of the mystery of the incarnation—“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John1:14a).
Living in today’s chaotic world, it is sometimes hard to grasp the truth that God is sovereign and is ultimately the One who holds control over creation and over the nations of this world. Yet here we see that in God’s timing the census decree from Rome moves Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David. The prophets had foretold that “(The) one who would be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times,” would come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), for he was to “reign on David’s throne” (Isaiah 9:7). We can take comfort knowing that God still holds the supreme control over our broken world.
Mary and Joseph, in obedience to the civil rulers, had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem during the latter months of Mary’s pregnancy, a distance between 128 and 144 kilometres. Travelling in those days did not have the advantage of inter-city buses or trains, nor were the roads well-maintained highways. Many accounts of that journey assume that Mary was riding on a donkey, but that may not have been the case. Most likely, she and Joseph walked to Bethlehem. We do not know how many days it took them, perhaps five or six days, but we can be certain that it was not an easy trip; it was a precarious journey, taking them through Samaria where they would not have been well received. Yet God was with them. Similarly, we can be assured that God watches over us as we go about our daily lives, and as we travel from one place to another. The Psalmist reminds us,
“He will not let your foot slip -
he who watches over you will not slumber; …
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:3, 8).
Mary and Joseph got to Bethlehem safely and I am sure they fulfilled their obligation to the civil authorities. The descendants of David, however, who had to be registered in Bethlehem were without doubt numerous and the town of Bethlehem was crowded; accommodation that provided privacy for someone about to give birth was best found in a stable. There in the humblest of circumstances, Jesus was born. The Word became flesh. What a profound mystery! The first century hymn, which Paul quotes in his letter to the church in Philippi, (Philippians 2:6–11) emphasizes the humble, servant heart of our Saviour, who obediently stooped to take on the human form, existence and death to redeem us. As Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
A birth in a stable may go unnoticed, but not this time. It was a humble birth, but the announcement was majestic! An angel appeared to the shepherds who were out in the fields with their flocks announcing the birth of a Saviour, and a host of the heavenly beings joined in praising God. This was a very persuasive proclamation! For as soon as the angels had gone back into heaven the shepherds wanted to see this baby. They said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” (Luke 2:15). Not only were the shepherds persuaded to follow what the angel told them but after they found the baby, just as the angel had told them, they spread the news about this child to all they met and continued to praise and glorify God as they returned to their flocks. This good news has been shared with us too.
When Jesus was eight days old, at the circumcision ceremony, he was given the name Jesus, as the angel had told Joseph. “She [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Are we eager to see what God is doing? Do we continually praise him for all he has done for us? Are we proclaiming the good news?
Heavenly Father, how can we ever thank you and praise you enough for sending your Son, Jesus, to live among us and to die to pay the penalty for our sin. Your great love for us amazes us; your mercy and grace humble us. Help us to truly honour you by spreading the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Author Bio
Penelope (Penny) Hall has served as a missionary in Viet Nam, and in Ecuador, with additional years in Malaysia, Central America, and other short-term teaching trips in many other areas of the world. She is presently serving as the advisor for English Ministries at Emmanuel Alliance Church of Ottawa.
(Rev. Penelope R. Hall, Ph.D., D.D.)
www.eaco.ca
Youtube (Cantonese):
https://www.youtube.com/@commseaco9494
Youtube (English): https://www.youtube.com/@avteameaco8257/streams
Luke and Acts taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The “NIV”, “New International Version”, “Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission.