His Birth in Bethlehem
TRANSLATION
(1) In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (2) This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria, (3) and all went to enroll, everyone to their own city. (4) And Joseph also went 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 register with Mary who was betrothed to him and was also expecting a baby. (6) And while they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. (7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger since there was no room for them in the inn.
(8) And in the same country there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock at night. (9) And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (10) And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. Behold, I bring you good news of great joy for everyone. (11) Today a Savior has been born to you in the city of David. He is the Messiah, the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (13) And suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God, and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is well pleased!”
(15) When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let’s go now to Bethlehem and see what has happened, what the Lord revealed to us.” (16) And they came quickly and found both Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. (17) And when they had seen this, they spread word of what they had been told about the child. (18) And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. (19) But Mary treasured all these words, pondering in her heart what they could mean. (20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
(21) And at the end of eight days, when the baby was circumcised, they called him “Jesus,” the name given by the angel before he had been conceived in the womb.
OBSERVATIONS
Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth is one of the best known and most beloved passages in the New Testament. The many repetitions in this passage help us determine its message. In the first paragraph we find “register(ed)” (vss. 1 & 5), “David” (twice in vs. 4), “Bethlehem” (vss. 4 & 15), and “give/gave birth” (vss. 6 & 7) repeated. In the second paragraph “angel(s)” was repeated (vss. 9, 10, & 13) along with the collective “heavenly host” (vs.13). Also, “manger” and “swaddling cloths,” both mentioned in verse 7, were once again repeated in the angel’s directions for finding the baby (vs. 12). The last two paragraphs referred twice more to angels (vss. 15 & 21) and spoke again of the shepherds that were first mentioned in verse 8 (vss. 15, 18, & 20). “Lying in a manger” is again found (vs. 16) as well as references to seeing and hearing (vss. 15, 17, 18, & 20).
OUTLINE
I. A Roman decree brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. (1-7)
II. The angels with great joy announced to shepherds that the Savior had been born. (8-14)
III. The shepherds went to see the newborn child and then spread the good news to everyone. (15-20)
IV. On the eighth day, his parents had their son circumcised and named him “Jesus.” (21)
IDEA STATEMENT
The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was first announced by angels to shepherds who then proclaimed the good news of his arrival.
APPLICATION
Almost every Christmas this passage is read as part of the celebrations of the Incarnation that take place both in our homes and churches. Because it has become so familiar to us, we need to make a special effort to read it with fresh eyes and hear it with fresh ears as if it were the first time. One issue on which we should focus is the reason why God chose a group of humble shepherds to be the first to hear the good news of the Savior’s birth. Several possibilities come to mind. First, shepherds were viewed as some of the least respected and poorest members of Jewish society. How appropriate that Jesus who came to seek and save the lost would first be visited by the lowest of the low. Also, simple, unschooled shepherds would likely be the group most open to believe the message that they had heard and obey the command to go and find him.
Another intriguing reason was suggested by a pastor in a sermon I heard a number of years ago. He noted that because of Bethlehem’s proximity to Jerusalem, many of the sheep pastured there were destined to be sacrificed in the temple especially during the feast of Passover. How appropriate that shepherds whose flocks would provide sacrifices for the nation would be the first to visit the newly born Lamb of God who would one day give his life on the cross in nearby Jerusalem to take away the sins of the world.