JOIN US IN CELEBRATING EASTER AT FIVE POINTS:

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Luke 2:6-7

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 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.

Today’s devotion is a great illustration of the interpretative journey in studying scripture, using the whole Bible as we read passages. As we read these two verses in Luke, it helps us to be mindful that the amazing providence of God was revealed in Micah 5, that the Messiah will be of the family of David and will be born in Bethlehem. When Jesus was born, the chosen parents lived in Nazareth about 100 miles from Bethlehem. However, a census for the purpose of taxation, was required and caused Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem as the time of Jesus’ birth was drawing near. God’s divine plan was unfolding, just as it continues to do in our time today. God is in control.

The travel to Bethlehem must have been extremely hard on Mary and Joseph. Verse 7 reveals that when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem there was no place for them in the inn, a word translated as a public lodging place, or a guest room built onto a private home. Since they were crowded out of the guest house, they stayed in a manger where Jesus was born. The word manger comes from the Latin word for chew or eat. It refers to a trough where horses and donkeys and cattle ate, so the cradle for the Son of God was most likely an animal trough. God could have planned any location for Jesus’ birth, it was not a random misfortune that He allowed his son’s bed to be a common crib rather than a royal cradle. Jesus was lying in exactly the place God planned. [1]

Lastly, as we think about our time today and the excitement of waiting on the birth of a new baby, imagine that with this birth of the Messiah, the “hosts of heaven awaited Jesus’ birth. So, at just the right time (Galatians 4:4), the ‘time came for her baby to be born.” Imagine the excitement! Let us enjoy this season and live our lives overwhelmed by the excitement of knowing Jesus.

  • Do I truly and excitedly give God a room in my heart?
  • How do I comprehend the gracious and sacrificial love of God and demonstrate that to others?

 [1] Piper, John.  Desiring God, The Meaning of the Manger. November 30, 2017.