The New Baby Jesus was Born In A Stable
Every December we decorate for and celebrate Christmas. For the world, it’s gift-giving time. For the Christian, the gift of God was given. This gift given to the whole world was the new baby Jesus who was born in a stable.
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 2:7
We have plenty of visuals depicting the scene of the night Jesus was born. The most common model of the Nativity is the old wooden barn look. The with Mary kneeling and Joseph standing. Baby Jesus is laying in a feed trough with animals and shepherds looking on.
Why were they there? The King James Version says that there was no room for them in the inn. I have written a children’s illustrated book called Twas the Night of Christmas.
In this part of the story, the innkeeper is saying, “We have no room I said with a grin. Outback there’s a stable, it’s behind the inn.”
It isn’t the purpose of this writing to establish what the scenery of that night looked like. What we do know about the birth of is Jesus this. The King of kings and the Lord of lords was laid in a manger. One that was probably used just a few hours earlier to feed animals.
Jesus did not wear a newborn outfit. Our verse for today says he was wrapped with strips of cloth. Also if there were baby bottles, they were only used by the wealthy.
This was the Moment The Angel Spoke About
Nine months earlier an angel spoke to Mary and then to Joseph individually. He revealed that what the Prophet Isaiah had written years earlier was being fulfilled.
All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14
Joseph took an expecting Mary, 90 miles, on foot to the city of David which is Bethlehem. In her condition, it could have taken a week or better. It was this city that was prophesied by Micah as the birthplace of this ruler.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2
Maybe you’re wondering, this all very interesting but how does this relate to us? Let’s stop to think about this whole story.
Mary was pregnant out of wedlock. Joseph understood why, but did anyone else? When they got to their destination no one seemed to care. Everything going on with them seemed insignificant to others.
The Time Had Come For The Baby Jesus To Be Born
She was having labor pains and they were ushered into a stable. Where was God? Where was the angel? Nobody knew the importance of this child.
He was Immanuel– ‘God with us.’ And there they were all alone. Or so it seemed.
How Do Others See Your Ministry
When God calls us to do a task for Him. We get excited, just like I’m sure Joseph and Mary were. As we prepare the excitement builds. Yet to everyone else, they appease us and say things like “that’s nice.”
It happened to us. My wife and I were called into children’s evangelism. With excitement, we prepared for a year gathering equipment and scheduling. We received very little encouragement from our church family but experienced plenty of Job’s comforters.
I can identify what was going on with Mary and Joseph. I want to encourage you to step out when God calls you just like they did. Just like we did. Others might see what you’re doing as insignificant, but you know and I know that it isn’t.
Any calling of God is important and God is always there. It might not feel like it at times, but He will never leave you. He never left Joseph and Mary by themselves.
Lord, there are times when we feel our ministry is not as important as someone else’s. Help us to get past those feeling as we trust you to help us do our very best. And Thank you Lord that Baby Jesus was born on Christmas Day.
Here is a related post that is interesting. It’s from a Psalm that says The Lord directs the steps of the godly. The post is called Enjoying The Benefits Of Living A Godly Life.
This part of the Christmas story is found in Luke 2.
