ttob3

The Testimony of Believers

Lesson 3: by turtle

As we open again chapter 2 in Luke to examine the Christmas story, it is important to look at the whole picture. Yet we be
studying only the Luke account. Yet if you wish to study Joseph side of the story I suggest you read Matthew and there it will
include the wise men. However in the Luke account only a little information about Jerusalem leaders at the time under Roman
rule is given and the account of the shepherds to make a real story seem almost magical in a sense. All the things heard would be
pondered not only in the hearts of those that heard it, but the ones that witnessed it especially Mary, Jesus’ mother. The specifics
of the story given is what captures our eyes in the retelling and retelling of the birth of our Savior. However if this story does not
come alive in your heart, it is just words of another birth day in an unforeseen place. Yet maybe in some ways a proper place, a
place of life and death in a stable. Animals being born in due season and eggs being laid. A place God himself is known to walk
and be around. For God sees the animals in the wilderness giving birth. One of God counseling sessions with Job really explains
it. If God’s Son had to be born in a man made structure it was in a place close to what God sees when He walks and hovers over
the earth. It was among His creation.

Job 39:1-8 KJV
(1) Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
(2) Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
(3) They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
(4) Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.
(5) Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
(6) Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
(7) He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
(8) The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

Yet we are taught that the barn was a dismal place to be born. A place of low class degree. A place of humility. A place not
worthy of a king, or nobility. A place not fitting for our Lord. Yet it was the place God had preplanned for Christ to be born.
With this in mind let us go into the book of Luke and examine the scripture surrounding the birth of Christ.

Tax time we do not think of going across country to give birth much less think about going across country to register for taxes.
Yet Joseph and Mary law abiding citizens would do just as command by the governmental leaders of the land. Rome was in
charge of Jerusalem. Rome had been taken of Jerusalem in 63 B.C. and August was Caesar between 27 BC to 14 AD. during the
reign of Herod the Great who was king of Judea between 37 BC to 4 BC. Caesar order the whole world to be taxed. It is almost
like when our Federal government orders for all Americans to pay federal taxes, whether you make enough money to do so or
not. Then if the required you to go to your birthplace how many people would be scattered to do so. However we can pay taxes
right were we live and work and not have to travel to our birth place to do so. Yet it was required by law and so Mary and
Joseph would travel to Bethlehem because they were of line of David. Not only the line of David but this was Joseph home town.

Luke 2:1-7 KJV
(1) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
(2) (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
(3) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
(4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
(5) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
(6) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
(7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was
no room for them in the inn.

Mary would bring forth her first child and lay Him in a manger for there was no room in the inn. Yet the place of Christ birth is
prophesied about.

Micah 5:2-3 KJV
(2) But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto
me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
(3) Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren
shall return unto the children of Israel.

No doubt the pain Mary would experience at the time of birth would be nothing to the heart ache she would experience at the
crucifixion. Yet Mary brought forth her Son and laid him in a manger.

The shepherd were one of the chosen to receive a sign from God by having angels appear to them in the field at night. Shepherds
were travelers, never staying necessarily in one spot. They had contact with other people and would spread the word of the birth
to all they came in contact with. This was one way the story of the birth of Christ got spread. Yet what makes this story unique
is that what the angel told the shepherds was true. They found everything exactly as they were told. This is what makes the story
believable. If they had found Jesus in an inn, or house then what the angel had declared would not be true. For prophesy to be
true it all has to be found as told.

Luke 2:8-20 KJV
(8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
(9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid.
(10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
(11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
(12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
(13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
(14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(15) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now
go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
(16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
(17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
(18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
(19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
(20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto
them.

The story of Christ birth would be ponder in the heart of Mary, but not only Mary but also the shepherds who were the first to
hear the good news of the birth of Jesus. First to make inquires of where this stable was and seeking the infant. This infant born
in a habitat that many of the shepherds would of understood. Something low class would of understood. However the time baby
Jesus was perhaps one or older he was in a house when the wise men came as recorded in Matthew 2. Yet our pageants display
the wise men at the stable. Many noble people come from low class of people. You never know if you are living beside someone
God will exalt in due time. Christ had humble beginnings. Better to have a humble beginning to have a silver spoon in your mouth
only to loose the family fortune. It better to know how hard it is to live and work then to never know hardship. One must
remember Joseph was a carpenter, and maybe a wealthy one scripture does not say. Yet it does say there was just no room even
for a working man family. Christ birth not only demonstrates humility but the fact we as humans no matter our class have to deal
with issues of no room in hotel, or motel at times, and even have struggles of having to make due with the situation. God was
taking the situation we find ourselves in only to bring salvation to us. One is definitely in a fix until they get saved from eternity
of torment. God is our deliverer through His Son. Will you worship the king today. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is on the throne in
heaven. He will return to delivers us from the hardships of this world.