Luke 2:1 – 20 “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the City of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Just then, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger. After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him. And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, which was just as the angel had told them.”
It was quiet that night. Well, it was quiet in that cave outside Bethlehem. The cave was one of the places where the lambs were kept wrapped in swaddling cloths, the lambs that would later be used for sacrifices. Bethlehem itself was a mad house! Who knew there were so many people who claimed to be descended from King David? And who knew there were so few inns in Bethlehem?
But out in that cave, there was only a small olive oil lamp to light Mary as she gave birth to her Son Jesus. Joseph had never wanted to act as a midwife, but he had no choice. And really, Joseph did pretty well, apart from the time when he thought he would faint. Mary offered the baby her breast and after he had sucked a little he was content. And then these shepherds came blundering in with wild stories of an angelic host that had appeared to them in the sky. Mary looked and Joseph and Joseph looked at Mary; they knew about angelic visitors. And so Joseph brought the lamp closer and the shepherds admired the newborn baby. And then the shepherds thanked Joseph and Mary and went back to their sheep. But for the rest of their lives, those shepherds would hear that song the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”
PRAYER: Father God, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You sent Jesus to live as a man, to die for our sins, and to conquer death and the grave so that one day we might be with you in heaven. Lord, help us to always keep that sense of wonder in our hearts. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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