Today's story is about the birth of Jesus
When it was almost time for Jesus to be born, everyone had to go to their hometown for the census. For Joseph’s family, it was Bethlehem, also known as the City of David. Do you remember David? David was a small guy who killed a giant, commanded armies, and became a great king. It would be fulfillment of prophecy for Jesus to be born as a descendent of David. Joseph was of the lineage of David. Here is the account in the gospel of Luke:
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 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. – Luke 2:1-7
When Mary and Joseph got to Bethlehem, they would have been arriving at the same time as a lot of people. There was no room left for them in the local inn. They had no choice but to stay in a stable, where the king of the world would be born, wrapped in strips of cloth, and laid in a manger.
Jesus had been expected for a long time. His birth had been revealed to prophets hundreds of years before his birth. His mother and earthly father, Joseph, were both visited by angels to tell them of Jesus’ miraculous birth. Mary’s relative, Elizabeth felt John jump in her womb when he knew he was in the presence of Jesus. Jesus was a miracle and a Savior. He was born into the line of David… a line of kings. And after all of this, he was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in a manger, a place where animals ate from. He wasn’t born in a palace. He wasn’t laid in a golden cradle. The King of the world came in the humblest of beginnings.
This means something to us. The eternal Son of God entered this world not with an attitude of superiority, but, with humility, he came to live among us. He came to not have an easy life as a rich man, but to experience what it means to live like common man. He didn’t have a lavish life. He didn’t have the upper hand. He was humble. He was fully God in fully human form.
Think about Jesus’ first breath, and the life he would have lived. He wasn’t rich, and I’m sure they didn’t have a whole lot, because Joseph was a carpenter. Jesus was never conceited. He lived a sinless life. He was perfect in every way. He was perfect but humble.
What does Jesus’ humility mean to you? I hope it means that he feels more approachable to you. He knew what it felt like to live the harsh realities of life.
Today, just 3 days before Christmas, remember that the greatest gift of all was Jesus, and it was a very humble beginning. Christmas isn’t about how much money is spent or received. No matter how many gifts you give or get, Jesus is still the reason for Christmas. We celebrate this humble beginning. Be different in the Christmas season. Celebrate the true reason for Christmas, Christ himself. Gifts are wonderful, but they will all fade away eventually. Jesus is forever, and that is something to remember and celebrate.
Dear God, thank you for your Son Jesus and his beautifully humble beginnings. Help me during this time of year to focus more on Jesus than I focus on things. I know that everything in this world will eventually pass away, but I have an eternal hope in Jesus. Forgive me when I’m a bit too worldly. Change my heart, and help me set my heart on the true meaning of Christmas. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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