All of the people in the Christmas story were – for the most part – unknown in their time. Joseph and Mary were from Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem because they came from the heritage of King David. Because they found no room when they arrived meant that neither Joseph nor Mary, had family to receive them. The census ordered by Caesar first, and then the governor must have brought many people to the cities of their families, so we can assume Bethlehem was crowded with people needing lodging. Mary and Joseph arrived to find there was no room in any traditional lodging place.
Luke 2:4-7
Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to
Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the
house and family of David.
He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was
expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of
cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the
inn.
Since this was entirely the work of God, we must realize
that the lack of lodging and the birth of His Son in a place where cattle were
kept speaks loudly of the humility that would characterize Jesus’ life. The word “manger” comes from the Latin
word “manducare” which means “to eat.” This was either a cattle stall or a cave. It’s
quite a contrast to the beginning of the nativity narrative when we realize
Caesar Augustus made his decree from the elegant palace of the Roman emperor. While Caesar lived – in all likelihood – in opulence
and the luxury of his home, with food, comforts, and clothing at his disposal,
Jesus was born in a cattle stall and wrapped in bands of cloth and a manger was
his bed. His birth is marked by humility,
simplicity, and even crudeness. It
should make us ponder God’s wisdom in ordering His plans to invade Caesar’s world
with a baby, bound in rags, and hidden away, free from Caesar’s knowledge of a
rival to his throne. 
Yet, God chose something that was also humble, hidden away,
and unknown to share the news of His Son’s arrival:
Luke 2:8-12
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch
over their flock by night.
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 see—I am bringing
you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in
the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of
cloth and lying in a manger."
We need to see that the Shepherds represent more of the
humility of the birth. There were no people
of importance who realized what was occurring that night. Shepherds were commoners. The job of a shepherd would have been relegated
to poor, uneducated people who worked the “night shift”. In Israel, Shepherds were notoriously
dishonest and never allowed to give testimony in a court of law. God chose the “least” of his people to show
his glory and give them the good news.
Humble, without prestige, not honored in their world, God came to these
Shepherds. The Greek word we translate
Shepherds is “poimēn”
which continues to be translated as “pastor” in the Scriptures. It is not a
reference to an office but to a humble practice of caring for a flock. These are the people God gives this joyous news.
What did they think when the sky lit up all around them and
the angel appeared? “They were terrified”. The Angel quickly relieves their fears with
the words of the Gospel, the “good news of great joy” for a
Savior – the Christ – is born in a manger in Bethlehem. Immediately we realize the worldwide
implications of Jesus’ birth, for this good news, the Gospel, “will be for
all people”. This baby is born to
conquer the world of Caesar, and all of the other world Caesars, with this
Gospel of a Savior.
As if this vision of God’s glory lighting up the night sky,
and the message of good news were not enough, God’s chorus of angels appear to
sing the “Gloria”.
Luke 2:13-20
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those
whom he favors!"
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to
one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken
place, which the Lord has made known to us."
So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in
the manger.
When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this
child;
and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had
heard and seen, as it had been told them.
What is it that marks the Nativity story? It is the simplicity of the birth of Christ
Jesus surrounded by the glory of God, and the humility of those that witnessed
it. We can learn much from this
story. God is not boastful, proud, or
bombastic. He is quietly filling the earth
with people of “goodwill”. People who know
that God’s Son is the Savior that the world desperately needs. Caesars will always get the headlines, but God
is not interested in headlines, he enters to heal a broken world. Emperors will force people to sing their
praises, but God invites us to sing His praises.
Peace
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