And while they were there, the time came for her baby 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. Luke 2:6-7
For hundreds of years, the Israelites waited for the promised Messiah, the Savior who would rescue them. While many would expect the long-awaited Messiah to be born into royal circumstances, Jesus' birth was humble. He was not given royal clothes to wear or the newest and best crib to sleep in. Instead, Jesus was born in humility, and it was this humility that defined His life and ministry throughout His life on Earth.
We can read about the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2. Mary and Joseph were traveling from their hometown of Nazareth to Bethlehem to report for a census that the Roman emperor, Augustus, had issued. At this time, Mary was very pregnant. Scripture teaches that while they were in Bethlehem, “the time came for her baby 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). Imagine the Savior of the World, born in today's version of a stable, wrapped in strips of cloth, and laid to rest in a feeding trough for animals. Indeed, these were humble circumstances.
The humble circumstances that Jesus was born into carried on through the rest of His life on Earth. His life was not about being recognized or served. His life was all about serving people and rescuing humanity from sin and death. In fact, Jesus Himself said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Although He was God, He came humbly, as a servant. He did all of this so that He could rescue all of us from sin and death. Merry Christmas Eve, friend! May you take time to remember your Savior’s humility and saving power as you celebrate today.
Ask God today to give you a spirit of humility. Ask Him to help you let go of pride today so that you can look for opportunities to serve the people around you. When the opportunities arise to humble yourself and serve the people around you, take them!
Luke 2:1-7
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.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And 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. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 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.
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