LW Baptist
By Rolland Coburn
Pastor
The Bible tells about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. In those days, Caesar Augustus ordered all the world to be registered, which was the first time while Quirinius was governing Syria. Everyone went to register in his hometown. Because he was a descendant of King David, Joseph traveled 100 miles south from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David in Judea, to register with Mary, his pledged bride, who was with child. God arranged the presentation and registration of this baby, his most precious gift to the world (Luke 2:1-5).
While they were there, Mary’s time had come, and she gave birth to a son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. God, as it were, put his most precious gift right under the tree for people to see (6-7).
Shepherds were in that region staying out in the open, keeping night-watch over their flock. An angel of the Lord surprised them, and God’s glory shone over them, alarming them dreadfully. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. Behold, I announce good news to you, great joy to be for all people, namely that born this very day in David’s town is your savior—Christ (Messiah) the Lord. And this will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly with the angel was a great army of heaven’s angels, singing praises to God. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those God has graciously favored.”
When the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began speaking to one another. “Let’s go at once to Bethlehem and see this that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” God brings his children to see and receive his precious gift (8-15).
God watched his children respond (16-20); they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, with the baby lying in the manger. Seeing him, they spoke of the message told them about this child. And all who heard marveled at what the shepherds said. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as they were told.
