The Christmas Child
The Passage
This week we are celebrating Christmas, so let’s read Luke 2:1-7, “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his town. 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, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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.”
The Trip
We see that when it was almost time for Mary to give birth, a decree went out that the world was to be counted and taxed. Mary and Joseph had to take a trip to Bethlehem, the town of David, to be counted and taxed. That fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2. We see at this time Mary was betrothed to Joseph which is a little like being engaged, but a lot more formal and binding. Many think that the reason a room was not available in the inn was that Mary and Joseph were not rich enough. So Jesus was born in a stable, laid in a manger, and wrapped in swaddling clothes. That is similar to what happened to spotless lambs when they were born. This shows that Jesus was the spotless lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). That is how the Savior of the world was born. We see that sometime after His birth, the shepherds and the wise men came to worship Jesus. We should do the same today and this week we should worship Jesus, because that is what the season is all about.
The Humility of His Birth
It seems inadequate for the Son of God to be born in a stable. It also seems inadequate that His mother would have to travel approximately eighty miles to be taxed right before Jesus’ birth. This shows that God came to dwell with everyone and that anyone rich or poor could come and find Him, that He was not guarded by earthly guards or unapproachable. The good news is that God is approachable, that God no longer wants to dwell in houses built by men, but in our hearts. We can still do the same today, anyone who wants to seek Jesus can, because thirty-three years after His birth when He died for you He did not stay dead, because not even death has power over our God!
God with Us
All this took place to fulfill what the prophets had said, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”, Isaiah 7:14. The meaning of Christmas is that He came down as both fully Man and fully God and dwelt with us for thirty-three years and died for our sins so that we could be with Him forever. If you would like to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, all you have to do is to admit that you are a sinner, repent of your sins, believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and God raised Him from the dead, and confess Him as Lord and Savior of your life (Romans 10:9). So this week, if Jesus is not Lord and Savior of your life, what better time than Christmas to give your heart and life to Him. Also, this week celebrate Jesus and tell everyone you encounter about Him. Remember today and this week to seek and worship Jesus by rejoicing with great joy.