The Birth of Jesus – Luke 2:1-20
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Can you imagine being those shepherds? Just sitting there watching your sheep at night – making sure nothing attacks – making sure they are all there – and then – AN ANGEL APPEARS! The angel tells them that a Savior is born – the Messiah – the Lord! More angels come and sing and exalt God! Then the shepherds look at each other and say – let’s go check this out!
I love this account telling of the shepherds – I just cannot put myself in their shoes! They find Mary and Joseph and Jesus – did they ask to hold Him – did they kiss His tender little head – did they give Him back to Mary when he started crying? Did those shepherds tell their own grandchildren that they once held the Savior of the world as a baby – that THEY were the messengers of God to spread the good news?
Today – as Fitzy jumps around in my tummy – I am humbled that God would let me borrow him for a while – that God trusts us with His precious creation. I am wondering what exactly Mary was thinking – was she concerned with the fact that He was indeed the Savior of the world or more so that He would sleep through the night?
Thank You God for giving Your Son – Jesus. Thank you Mary for being a wonderful momma to our Lord. Thank you Joseph for loving your Son and His mother. Thank you shepherds for being in that field that night!
