Luke 2:1–21
1 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. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ 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 there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
This passage is rich with Old Testament prophecy: where Jesus was to be born, under what circumstances, and to whom He would be born, just to name a few. However, there is something even more amazing than these prophecies. There is something here for all of us as we ask the question, “Why are we being told this story?”
For many years, I did student ministries, and along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to meet a few prominent figures in ministry. One person I met while I was volunteering at Spirit West Coast. Spirit West Coast was a three-day Christian concert event with many nationally recognized speakers. I was assigned to pray with one of those speakers in my volunteer role for the event. I found it humbling that he spent a great deal of time asking me about my ministry and what God was doing in my life.
Contrast that moment with another national figure I spoke with over lunch and subsequently played host to for a separate speaking event. It was a completely different experience because all he did was talk about his own greatness. I don’t think he even asked me a question about my ministry or my life beyond, “What was your name, again?”
Two different situations with two prominent people. Which do you think was more impressive to me?
In this passage, we have the most famous person in all of history and beyond. He arrives on earth with heavenly announcements and a great host of angels exploding in the sky with songs of praise to God the Father. Yet, who did this announcement come to, and how did Jesus arrive? It wasn’t to kings and queens, to movie stars, presidents, or heads of state. It was to the lowest, to those in humble circumstances. The lowly shepherds were given the greatest birth announcement of all time.
Jesus was born a fragile baby needing protection and shelter. He was born in a manger to a teenage girl who had to endure suspicion that she had premarital sex. He was born to an earthly father who took a huge leap of faith to marry this girl despite circumstances that would lead people to believe she was unfaithful to him from the beginning.
The circumstances of Jesus' birth were humble and announced to those who were considered lowly. The king of the entire universe arrives, and no king is present to receive Him other than some shepherds and a young couple who wonder at what God is doing. And THEY REJOICED!
Previously, I asked us to consider the question, “Why are we being told this story?” The reason is because Jesus is for all of us. Not just the elite of culture, or the star athlete, or the movie star. Jesus is for all of us, and in many ways, we need to recapture this incredible moment. Remember what the angel said to the shepherds in verse 10, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people”.
I remember when my kids were born, I couldn’t wait to call people and tell them the great news of the awesome gifts from God to us. I called people at 2am to tell them good news so that they could share in my rejoicing. Jesus was born and you have been given the birth announcement. What are you doing with your good news?
God bless you, and know that I am praying for you constantly.
Scott