Born in Bethlehem
Waiting for Light to Come | Erik Reed
AND WHILE THEY WERE THERE, THE TIME CAME FOR HER TO GIVE BIRTH. 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. LUKE 2:6-7 (ESV)
The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in the first century could take anywhere from four to ten days. Nazareth is in the northern part of Israel, and Bethlehem is in the south. The distance in a straight line is 70 miles. But to traverse the landscape, including the political conflicts that existed with Samaria, increased the mileage of the trip.
Why is the journey so significant? Because Mary and Joseph would take this trip as she neared the end of her pregnancy with Jesus. Caesar Augustus was the emperor of Rome during this time. He decreed an edict throughout the empire’s conquered lands that everyone had to register at their place of origin. This census served many purposes for the ruler. He learned the size and scope of his empire. The registration informed Rome on how to tax people and gave them a picture of the property and duties those living under their rule held. But in God’s purposes, the census moved Mary and Joseph from Nazareth, where they lived, to Bethlehem, where Joseph was from. This fulfilled the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem from Micah 5:2 of a ruler over Israel who is from old, from ancient of days.
Our passage today tells us that while they were there in Bethlehem, the time came for her to give birth. We don’t get many details about this. It is not clear whether they expected this to happen or if it was a surprise. But Mary goes into labor while in Bethlehem. We can assume her water broke, and contractions ensued. The promised pain of childbirth surfaced yet again in another woman’s delivery (Genesis 3:16). She pushed and labored as the Redeemer of the world made His way through the birth canal and into world He came to save. And then the cries of a newborn baby filled the air. The One who hung the moon and stars now laid underneath them as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.
The birth of the Savior lacks the sound of trumpets from the Roman armies. No couriers took the news around the four corners of the earth to share about the God-Man’s birth. No, the most significant event in human history had unfolded in relative obscurity. The Savior of the world was born and placed in a manager because there was no room for them in the inn.
Our text today reminds us that our Lord humbled Himself when He came into the world to redeem us. It also admonishes us that great and significant things in the eyes of God do not always garner the world’s attention.
Questions for Reflection
This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co
AND WHILE THEY WERE THERE, THE TIME CAME FOR HER TO GIVE BIRTH. 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. LUKE 2:6-7 (ESV)
The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in the first century could take anywhere from four to ten days. Nazareth is in the northern part of Israel, and Bethlehem is in the south. The distance in a straight line is 70 miles. But to traverse the landscape, including the political conflicts that existed with Samaria, increased the mileage of the trip.
Why is the journey so significant? Because Mary and Joseph would take this trip as she neared the end of her pregnancy with Jesus. Caesar Augustus was the emperor of Rome during this time. He decreed an edict throughout the empire’s conquered lands that everyone had to register at their place of origin. This census served many purposes for the ruler. He learned the size and scope of his empire. The registration informed Rome on how to tax people and gave them a picture of the property and duties those living under their rule held. But in God’s purposes, the census moved Mary and Joseph from Nazareth, where they lived, to Bethlehem, where Joseph was from. This fulfilled the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem from Micah 5:2 of a ruler over Israel who is from old, from ancient of days.
Our passage today tells us that while they were there in Bethlehem, the time came for her to give birth. We don’t get many details about this. It is not clear whether they expected this to happen or if it was a surprise. But Mary goes into labor while in Bethlehem. We can assume her water broke, and contractions ensued. The promised pain of childbirth surfaced yet again in another woman’s delivery (Genesis 3:16). She pushed and labored as the Redeemer of the world made His way through the birth canal and into world He came to save. And then the cries of a newborn baby filled the air. The One who hung the moon and stars now laid underneath them as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.
The birth of the Savior lacks the sound of trumpets from the Roman armies. No couriers took the news around the four corners of the earth to share about the God-Man’s birth. No, the most significant event in human history had unfolded in relative obscurity. The Savior of the world was born and placed in a manager because there was no room for them in the inn.
Our text today reminds us that our Lord humbled Himself when He came into the world to redeem us. It also admonishes us that great and significant things in the eyes of God do not always garner the world’s attention.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the census decreed by Caesar Augustus teach us about how God’s sovereignty is displayed in accomplishing His will in and through the actions of men?
- How is Mary’s delivery of Jesus significantly different than of celebrities today who give birth?
- What does this teach us about what is significance in the eyes of God versus the eyes of the world? How can Jesus’ obscure birth be a source of encouragement to us in our lives?
This advent devotion, Waiting for Light to Come, was written by Erik Reed and borrowed with permission from Knowing Jesus Ministries. You can find the original publication and more information at https://www.knowingjesusministries.co
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