A World Forever Changed

As Mary hears the angel speak of her pregnancy and birth we have to wonder; did she have a plan? What were her thoughts about the preparation of the arrival of Jesus? We have to look at how things were done in Biblical times.

The angel went to a virgin promised in marriage to a descendant of David named Joseph. The virgin’s name was Mary. 
When the angel entered her home, he greeted her and said, “You are favored by the Lord! The Lord is with you.” 
She was startled by what the angel said and tried to figure out what this greeting meant. 
The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor  with God. 
You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. 
He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 
Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever, and his kingdom will never end.” 
Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.” 
The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God. 

Luke 1:27-35, GWT

Planning for Baby’s Arrival!!

When you become expecting parents, you begin to plan for the birth of your baby. You set up a nursery and gather multitudes of diapers and wipes. You prepare for the addition of your sweet baby. As the day draws closer, you have your bags packed and you know the location of the hospital or birthing center. You have a plan. .

Things weren’t the same at the time of Jesus’ birth. During these times, there were midwives present during the delivery. They are mentioned in Genesis 35, Exodus 1, and 1 Samuel 4. This lets us know that there was some sort of plan regarding delivery.

But as we look at the birth of Jesus, we find that there was no mention of a midwife. We also read that because of a decree from Caesar Augustus, Joseph and Mary had to make a trip to Bethlehem. We know that this was prophesied in the Old Testament book of Micah chapter 5.

I have to wonder, did Mary know that she would travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill that prophecy? Did she make plans to give birth to her baby boy in a town about 70 miles from home? It is possible she did know. We know that She did not give birth as soon as they entered Bethlehem. In fact, the scripture just says, “while they were there.” (Luke 2:6) This gives us insight that she may have been aware of the fact that she may give birth to Jesus while they are there. However, she may have also thought that she would make it back to Nazareth before giving birth. Either way, Mary knew she would be giving birth to the Son of God.

The Time Has Come!!

It’s here….

The time to get to the hospital/birthing center has come! The baby is ready to enter the world.

As they continued to stay in Bethlehem, God fulfilled the prophecy and Jesus was ready to make His entry into the world. A world that would love Him and hate Him at the same time. Yet, there He comes. A babe born in a stable. A King that was born in a not-so-royal place.

Luke chapter two tells us that Joseph and Mary did not travel to Bethlehem alone. Verse 3 says that everyone traveled to their respective hometowns to be counted in the census. With this in mind, we can hope that there was a midwife present when the labor pains started.

In the time of the Bible, giving birth was not done as it is now. Women didn’t lay in a bed. Those who could afford one used a birthing stool. This could also be made from two stones. We aren’t sure if Mary had either. There are no accounts of the details of the process of the birth of Jesus.

The gospels all agree on one thing….

A King was born in Bethlehem!

After all, is said and done, Mary had given birth to one of the most controversial men in the history of the world.

The World Will Forever Be Changed!!

No matter the details surrounding the birth of Jesus, one thing is for certain….

The world was forever changed when the baby Jesus filled the air with His first cry. A cry that would exhale hope, grace, forgiveness, and love. From the lungs of a newborn baby, the world heard the cry of the Father that loved them so much.

This birth was so much more than just a baby entering the world. It was the hope of a Father in the flesh. A Father that loves His children. A Father that wants to save His children from the pits of hell. A Father that gives a perfect Son to pay the price of His imperfect children.

The moment that Jesus became flesh was the moment that we were given a choice to live as a child of God.

While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have her child. 
She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there wasn’t any room for them in the inn. 

Luke 2:6-7, GWt

The Gift of Life!!

Reading the story of Christmas in Luke chapter 2 is one of the most precious memories a family can have when it comes to Christmas. My family was not Christian so I grew up with the mentality of the world…. It’s all about the gifts.

As I have grown in my walk with Jesus, I have come to realize that the most precious gift is the gift of hope, forgiveness, grace, and love. I have come to understand that when Jesus cried in the manger, I was given the true gift of life.

When Jesus grew up and called me to be part of His chosen disciples, I was adopted into the most glorious family of all. I had become a daughter in the Kingdom of Christ. There is none better.

During the Christmas season take time to share the most precious gift of life, the Love of God, with those you love. Give them the opportunity to know the Redeemer in a way that leads them to desire a deeper relationship with Jesus.