Luke 2:1-20

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

1In 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.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So 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. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15When 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."

16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

--------------------------

Here's one story that is familiar to a good many people who don't know much else about Jesus. I'd recommend looking back at my first post on this blog for my thoughts on the "Christmas story." I could almost leave it at that. But we'll go through it a bit more.

The chapter begins with some historical information. Jesus's birth happened during the reign of Caesar Augustus, who I believe was the first emperor of the Roman Empire -- from around 30 BC to AD 14. He orders a census of the entire Roman world, and everyone has to go back to the hometown of their ancestors to register.

Joseph takes the pregnant Mary along with him and they head to Bethlehem. It's quite a distance for that time period: about 70 miles. The trip could have taken a week or so, which doesn't sound like very much fun when you've got a pregnant girl with you. They finally arrive, and while they are there, they give birth to a son. For as much as this story is recreated in church Christmas musicals, the birth account is actually a pretty short one. Evidently, because of the census taking place, there is no room for them in the local inn, so she wraps the baby tightly in cloths and places him in some sort of feeding trough. What an entrance into our world!

Then we get to the shepherds. Remember that shepherds are not exactly the highest class of society. They are dirty, they probably smell, and they probably are pretty poor. They aren't exactly high up the social ladder; after all, they live with sheep. But these are the people that God chose to tell about the baby Jesus (who also probably smelled bad, considering he was sleeping in a feeding trough). The shepherds are at first terrified (those angels tend to catch people off guard), but soon are excited about the prospect of a savior being born to them.

Remember again that the entire Jewish nation was waiting for a savior. They were under Roman rule -- not quite slaves, but not exactly free either. Their Old Testament prophets had been proclaiming a coming savior for centuries.

So the shepherds leave their sheep and rush off to find this miracle baby, still lying in a manger. This scene, also, has been recreating in countless nativities and artwork. Joseph and Mary standing around, looking serene, and the shepherds just walk up and start worshiping the baby. But seriously? If I was Joseph, and I had recently been through a labor and delivery (not exactly sanitary conditions, either), what am I thinking if some strange, smelly guys arrive wanting to see the baby? Talking about visions of angels? I'm thinking it had to be a *great* discussion.

Anyway, the shepherds eventually left and went around telling everyone about what they saw and heard. And of course, the author says that Mary "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."


I'm interested to hear some thoughts and opinions from people who aren't as familiar with the story of Jesus (surely there are a couple of you reading, right?). I grew up hearing all of this stuff every week, so it's difficult for me to look at it from a diferent perspective. I'm eager to hear what people think when they read this stuff!