Christmas Advent Devotional Day 26: Heaven Came Down

 


Luke 2:1-7

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NKJV)

 


This is the Christmas story. The one we are always so eager to hear.  But today, read it with fresh eyes. Imagine yourself inside the story as a firsthand witness.  Imagine Joseph and Mary’s frustration that the non-Jewish king made a decree that had to be obeyed.  At the most difficult time to travel.  They traveled no small journey while she was “great with child” and near her due date. (Probably around 90 miles, taking a week or more to travel.) Because of Joseph’s connection to the house and lineage of David, they were to go to Bethlehem to be counted.

Obediently the couple- and likely their extended family- went to Bethlehem. In those days, the modern concept of an inn was much more rudimentary.  Some scholars believe that the usual places within a family home set aside for guests were full because they had all been summoned to their hometown. Scholars believe that Mary and Joseph may have been staying inside a home, where a room adjacent to the common room was set up to house their livestock at night.  (Kenneth Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes.)

When Mary gave birth, she was miles away from her furnished nursery. (I jest). But even so, her provisions for the newborn would have been minimal.  So, they did a makeshift delivery and recovery room, with Christ finding His rest inside a manger.  (Likely made of stone.)

A young virgin, married to a man with whom she had not consummated their marriage.  A houseful of people who probably knew the exact dates of the “wedding” and were comparing them to the fact that she was now delivering. Away from home.  Without supplies.  Can we be honest?  Nothing was going right for this expectant couple.  Yet this is how God chose for His Son to enter the world as a human child.

Amid chaos, confusion, lack, and uncertainty, The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords made His grand entry.  He was not celebrated by dignitaries.  He was not born in the royal suite.  No! When the Son of God came down, He came all the way down. Down to the darkness.  Down to the common man.  Down to our level.  To our mess.

Let us lift up the One True God Who willingly came down!




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