“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world….everyone went to their own town to register. ” Luke 2 v 1(NIV).
Scripture records the journey of Mary and Joseph to Joseph’s home town. In order to fulfill the decree or mandate, they travelled to Bethlehem. At this time Mary was expecting her first child, Jesus.
Jesus, no ordinary child, was conceived by the Holy Spirit. The revelation of the conception was given to Joseph who, understandably , was seeking an opportune time to separate himself from Mary.
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1 v20-21 (NIV).
Their journey must have been arduous and especially difficult for Mary as an expectant teenage mother. There are times when our life journey becomes arduous or difficult.
During their plight they became temporarily homeless and at the whim of the innkeepers. Unable to secure a room the proposition of a stable was accepted in desperation. Mary needed somewhere to rest and deliver her baby, the Messiah!
Today, many people find themselves in homeless and transient situations for various reasons. Are we making room for them? Some are fleeing inhumane situations in their homelands , some find themselves jobless because of policy changes or changes in the economy, some cannot meet the demands of their rent for various reasons. Most importantly, are we making room, spiritually, for God to take residence in our lives?
In the midst of farm animals Mary humbly gave birth to Jesus. This was not a place that anyone, rich or poor, would have selected to give birth to their first born. Yet, God allowed these circumstances to fulfill the prophecy of Jesus the Christ. All of these events were in the plan of God.
The rejection and humble entrance of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, foretells the response humanity ultimately had to God revealed in the flesh. Even in the midst of this torrid entry into the world, the Lordship of Christ was celebrated by angels in full view of ordinary shepherds. This celebration aligned heaven and earth and provided a supernatural encounter that promoted the gospel, the telling of this “Good News”.
The Lord selected shepherds, humble and “unlearned’ men informed by angels of the Savior’s birth, to become motivated individuals who spread the news about their experience.
The gospel of Jesus the Christ began through the personal experience of individuals.
The appearance of angels happened suddenly. Heaven came down to earth and revealed the glory of the Lord and ultimately our connection with heavenly hosts and our heavenly father, God.
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2 v 16 (NIV)
Have you experienced the Lord’s presence? The Lord reveals himself in so many different ways. The heavenly hosts involved in these encounters were sent to announce and provide revelation regarding Jesus the Christ.
This message of the gospel of Jesus is still being shared today. Ultimately, it is beneficial for all of humanity to make room in their lives to know and to have a relationship with their Creator.
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Hello everyone, Join me for the first, short post of 2026! New day of Fourth Friday each month. Let’s reflect for a few minutes about some of the events during the birth of Christ and our response as God’s creation.
Thanks for sharing this thought provoking piece. We often forget the sacrifices made to fulfil the gospel.