The Nativity

Luke 2:1-20

Today’s Bible reading for Christmas Eve is the Nativity narrative found in the Gospel of Luke.  With this very familiar passage I thought I would focus on several of the main people who played a part in this narrative of the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

The first person I would like to look at from the Nativity is Mary. When we first see her in this passage she and her new husband, Joseph are traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem because a census is being taken, and Bethlehem is the family home of Joseph.  The distance between these towns is over 70 miles. Remember, though, Mary was 9 months pregnant!  I don’t know too many women who would want to make that trip, walking or on the back of a donkey, in that condition!  There was also the risk of brigands ambushing people along the way.  When they arrived in Bethlehem, I’m sure Mary was looking forward to a nice, comfortable room where she could have her baby.  That was not to be the case.  She ends up in what was probably a cave used to house farm animals, giving birth on the ground with only animal straw to cushion her, and those animals all right nearby.  Mary didn’t go into a rant at God, complaining that since this was His idea, why isn’t He providing better!  No, through it all, Mary trusted God to protect her and the baby.

Our next person to take a look at is Joseph.  He is just getting over the shock of finding out that his intended bride is pregnant, and says the child has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.  God revealed to him that this was, indeed, the truth (Matthew 1:20-24).  Now by Caesar’s order, he must make the trip to Bethlehem for the census.  The care, comfort, and safety of his wife would be a stressful burden all along the several days journey.  I can imagine the panic and stress he must have felt when he finally gets to Bethlehem, and there isn’t a room to be found anywhere, only a smelly, cold animal stable!  His wife is going into labor, and there is no midwife around!  Just himself to help!  It has only been in the last several decades that men have been typically present at a birth.  In those days men usually were not around during labor and birth. That’s what midwives were for!  That night it was just Joseph, a few sheep, his donkey, and perhaps a cow or so!  We don’t read of Joseph losing his head.  No, like his wife, he trusted in the Lord, knowing that God would do what He had said He would do.

Another group to look at are the shepherds.  The night of the Savior’s birth they were outside the city walls, watching the flocks of sheep in the open fields. Shepherds were the bottom of the social caste of the day, only one step above lepers.  The religious leaders treated them as outcasts, as well.  Shepherds lived, night and day, with their animals, and it was a hard, sometimes dangerous life.  With such magnificent news to bring, who would be the first that you would tell?  God did not choose to bring it to all the Jewish religious leaders of the day, neither the Pharisees, Sadducees, or Sanhedrin.  God did not choose to reveal this to any political leader, either.  It was to these uneducated and poor men that God chose to bring the first news of the birth of the Messiah.  Unlike many people, God is not a respecter of people’s wealth, rank, or education (Acts 10:34).  It was to lowly shepherds God chose to break the news of the birth of one who would be one day be known as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-15).

The final group are the angels.  They had enjoyed the presence of Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity, in heaven since their creation at the dawn of time. Now Jesus has left heaven to live among mankind, be rejected and killed by them for their salvation, and they would have to wait about 33 years for His return.  In spite of this, they are rejoicing and singing praises to God!

Each of these people - Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the angels, in spite of whatever they faced, trusted and praised God for the birth of the Savior.  What are you facing today?  Whatever hardship you may find today, look to the Babe in the manger, who came to redeem all of mankind!
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