Scripture
The Birth of Jesus
1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
6And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
Sometimes the most incredible gifts can come in the smallest and most unsuspecting packages. If you have ever played the Christmas gift exchange game White Elephant, you know this to be true. White Elephant is a game where everyone brings a gift, and one by one, each person picks a gift under the Christmas tree or a gift that has already been opened. This process continues until every gift under the tree has been unpacked. Naturally, most people pick the largest or most beautifully wrapped gifts. Looks can be deceiving, however; often, the best gift is the smallest gift or the gift that is not beautifully wrapped. Today's study will discuss the best gift we have ever been given, born in humble circumstances, Jesus.
Luke 2 records Jesus' birth with great detail. During His birth, the Roman emperor called for a census to be taken where everyone had to go back to their "ancestral hometown," or the hometown where their ancestors lived, to register. Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he and Mary went to Bethlehem to register for the census. In the middle of the chaos and stressfulness of the situation, the time came for Jesus to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them" (verses 6-7). Think about this picture. Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, the Light of the World, and the greatest gift, was born in a stable, essentially a cave for animals, and placed in a manger because there was no place else for Him to stay and be born. These circumstances are not how you would expect a King to be born, but Jesus was no ordinary King. He was the Savior of the World who came to serve and rescue humanity from sin.
We just celebrated Christmas yesterday. Maybe you got everything you wanted, or maybe the gift you wanted so badly never made it under the tree. Friends, any gift we received or wish we received pales in comparison to the gift of Jesus. God has given us everything we need and more in Jesus! For that, we are eternally grateful.
Moving toward action
Take a few minutes to think about the difference that Christ has made in your life. Then, pull out your journal or a notebook. Set a timer for 2 minutes, and for those two minutes, make a list of how Christ has changed your life. When your timer goes off, pray. Thank God for Jesus and the specific ways He has changed your life.
Going Deeper
Luke 2:1-7 (NLT)
Loading saved progress…
Your place is saved in this browser. It will not follow you to another device, and clearing browser data removes it.