Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. 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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and 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.
Reflection
The birth of the Son of God, the Savior of all humankind is described in 135 words. Luke simply records with little fanfare that Jesus was born in humble surroundings in the city of Bethlehem. Jesus came into this world very quietly. Most of the world had no idea that the one true God had come into our midst. Jesus’ birth was simple.
As we think about our celebrations of the birth of Jesus it might be good to take time to quietly meditate, not with a lot of fanfare, but to just consider what it means to us that Jesus came into our world to save us from our sins. Jesus was not announced as the powerful King; he was born as a tiny infant and he did it all for us. Jesus’ birth was simple but the implications of that birth for our lives is astounding. For that we simply give thanks.
