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Luke 2:6, While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
You will never read a birth announcement more important and amazing than this. This birth was miraculous for many reasons. It is a true account of a real-life happening that should remain fresh in our memories. And so it is good to celebrate this annual Christmas season. Warren Wiersbe wrote this reflection of Luke 2.
Luke 2 may well be the most familiar and beloved portion in Luke’s Gospel. My wife and I still read the first twenty verses together each Christmas Eve, just as we did when our children were growing up. The story is old but ever new, and God’s people never tire of it.
While there are many reasons for sorrow and grief in this wicked and fallen world, the story of the miraculous birth in Bethlehem reminds us that God firmly controls all things. In fact, there are few biblical stories that more clearly assure us that God controls every step of the way. When things look glum and desperate, always remember there is the invisible hand of our Almighty Father ruling every event in history and every moment of our lives. God isn’t just managing the broad sweep of history – He is concerned and involved and micromanages the smallest details of His children’s lives. One author said, “The same God who controls the sun cares for the sparrow.” This morning we’ll see this invisible hand of God clearly revealed through a decree from the most powerful ruler on earth at the time to move a poor peasant couple 90 miles from their home to a town prophesied 700 years earlier to bear their first-born son, the Son of God!
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MIRACULOUS BIRTH
Before we look at this birth, let’s go back to the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary.
Luke 1:30, The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
This is the miraculous birth of this promised child in Luke 2. Luke was a careful historian and he was very careful to include the facts surrounding this great event. There is nothing mystical or mythical in this birth account of Jesus Christ. Christianity is based on the solid facts of history, all grounded in time and space. The church historian Phillip Schaff wrote, “Truly, Jesus Christ, the Christ of the Gospel, the Christ of history, the crucified and risen Christ, the divine-human Christ, is the most real, the most certain, the most blessed of all facts.” Then he adds, “This fact is the only solution of the terrible mystery of sin and death…. For all time to come He will remain, ‘The Way, the Truth, and the Life.’” Let’s look at four ways this birth was truly miraculous: the time, place, circumstances, and reason for this birth.
THE TIME OF HIS BIRTH WAS MIRACULOUS
Luke 2:1, Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
“Now in those days.” Luke doesn’t say, “Once upon a time….” Those days didn’t “just happen” to come to pass. Those days were the fulness of time, at just the right time, according to Galatians 4:4. The unfolding centuries and years and days from the very beginning of time have come to these significant days. The world was ripe for the Messiah to be born. Here’s a sampling of how God in His amazing providence with His invisible hand moved the moments of time in preparing the world for “those days.” Put on your history cap – we are going to have a little history lesson to see God sovereignly at work.
Prophecies: First, there are all the prophecies of the Old Testament beginning with that serpent crushing the seed of the woman (not the man) in Genesis 3:15, and then through the great prophecies in the book of Daniel assuring us that the Messiah would come at the time of that fourth world empire in Daniel 2:44. There was Babylon, Persia, Greece, and then Rome, which is where we are now in Luke 2:1. Caesar Augustus is the emperor of the Roman Empire. Daniel’s prophetic clock of 483 years (Daniel 9:24-26) pointed to this very time when Christ the Messiah would come to earth, born of a virgin as Isaiah prophesied 700 years earlier in Isaiah 7:14, and born in Bethlehem as Micah prophesied in Micah 5:2. Age old prophecies are being fulfilled.
Koine Greek Language: Alexander the Great in the 300s BC pursued his goal of world domination. He extended his empire throughout the middle east all the way to the borders of India. As he conquered his way along, he spread the Koine or common Greek language everywhere he went. Unknown to him, God was using him to prepare the world for the New Testament and the preaching of the gospel by having the New Testament written in Koine or common, street-level Greek so all people could understand the message. From 300 BC to AD 300 people spoke and read Koine Greek. It was the fulness of time, the time God chose for His son to be born.
Greek Old Testament: Then there was the translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew into Greek down in Egypt in the 200s BC, called the Septuagint. This was the Old Testament the apostles often used as they wrote their epistles and preached Christ to the Greek-speaking Jews and Gentiles.
Religion: There was a host of mystery religions and also several million Jews spread abroad throughout the Roman Empire. They spread the idea of one God (monotheism), but never a message of true forgiveness and heart peace and joy. Jews built synagogues in many Roman towns and cities. Of course, that’s exactly where Paul went first when he arrived in towns to preach the gospel. The time was ripe.
Roman Empire: And then perhaps the biggest preparation for the coming of Christ was the Pax Romana or the Roman peace of the Roman Empire. Luke 2:1 speaks of the days of Caesar Augustus. The great Caesar Augustus had crushed all opposition in the Roman Empire. The doors into the temple of the Roman god Janus in Rome were open during war and closed during peace. At the time of the census they were closed…it was a time of peace. The Roman army was strong and maintained peace throughout the Mediterranean world. Rome paved or improved the roads throughout the empire. A postal service had been developed so correspondence was secure. Travel between areas was smooth, easy, and relatively safe. One Roman author wrote, “We may travel at all hours, and sail from east to west.” I’m reminded of New York City under Mayor Rudy Giuliani. We visited the city during those days. A young lady we met while waiting for a taxi told us she felt safe to walk the streets of the city at any hour. MacArthur wrote, “The Gospel spread rapidly, largely along Roman roads and trade routes by sea and by land.”
So now at just the right time, not a year or two later or earlier, at just the right time in the fulness of time, from the very center of this huge Roman Empire by the most powerful man on planet earth, Caesar Augustus decreed for the first time a census for the entire Roman world. A Roman census was to gather information for the military and to assess the population for taxation. This great emperor had no idea his decisions were in the hands of the Almighty God, who was accomplishing exactly what He wanted.
Proverbs 21:1, The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.
THE PLACE OF HIS BIRTH WAS MIRACULOUS
Luke 2:3, And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
If it weren’t for that decree, humanly speaking, Mary would probably have given birth to Jesus in Nazareth! But we’re not speaking humanly. There is a God in heaven who rules in the affairs of men. When this decree came to Joseph’s ears and he knew they had to go to his place of origin, was he aware of what God was doing? Did he think, “Wow! Mary’s about to give birth, and Micah says the Messiah must come out of Bethlehem. Let’s go!” Did he know? We know one thing. When the Magi came from the east into Jerusalem asking about the birthplace of the King of the Jews, those scribes and chief priests knew. When Herod asked them where this King would be born, they answered without a hiccup, “In Bethlehem!” Then they quoted Micah 5:2.
Micah 5:2, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”
So there they go on their four-legged transportation, traveling the 90 or so miles (about from here to Louisville) from Nazareth up to Bethlehem. Just a side note here – when we say “up” in directions, we usually mean north, but Bethlehem was actually south of Nazareth. Verse 4 says “up to Bethlehem” because Bethlehem was at a higher altitude than Nazareth, about 2500 feet above sea level.
When Caesar ordered you to go to your own city to register, you went. But what are the chances of this happening at just this time, the very time when Mary was to give birth? You can write this down – there are no chances in God’s good providence. God ruled Mary’s days and God rules the moments of your life. It’s always interesting to hear how God moved Frank from this town to this college to that job and that location and at the same time He is moving Susie from her high school to college and then somehow Frank and Susie meet at church or a church camp or Bible study or at friends’ house and they end up getting married, having babies, and living their lives together for 65 years! Is God involved? Absolutely! Proverbs 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” As R. C. Sproul says, “There’s not a chance in the world.”
God’s providence is so amazing. How precious is knowing that hidden hand of God is constantly involved in our lives! Why should we be discouraged, anxious, full of fear? “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” We live in days of uncertainty, deception, and corruption. Christianity is being marginalized in our own nation. That was unimaginable not so long ago. But when you read the Christmas story here in Luke 2, you know God rules the nations.
In Jeremiah 1:12 God says, “I am watching over my word to perform it.” And the great verse Isaiah 14:24 says, “The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, ‘Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand.’” Prophecies said Jesus Christ couldn’t possibly be born in Nazareth, or in Jerusalem for that matter. He must be born in Bethlehem, and that’s where this couple is headed. Joseph’s probably walking; Mary’s riding. Are they with a caravan? Maybe. Were there other relatives traveling with them? Maybe. Are they married? Yes and no. Matthew 1:25 says Joseph took her as his wife but kept her a virgin until the birth of Jesus. But here Luke says Mary was engaged to him. Put them together, and they were technically married but lived as an engaged couple. The marriage had not been physically consummated.
THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS BIRTH WAS MIRACULOUS
Luke 2:6, While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
At just the right time, “while they were there,” not five months earlier or three months later. And at just the right place, not Nazareth or Jerusalem, but Bethlehem, and in just the right circumstances. What palace would be glorious enough to witness the birth of the Lord of lords and King of kings in its royal room? Who would be the honored assistants at Mary’s side to witness the birth of Israel’s great Messiah, Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor? God couldn’t have shown better the contrast between the Messiah’s divine, royal rights and these lowly, humble, circumstances of His birth.
First, there’s no room for them in the inn, which should really be translated “guest room” as the LSB and CSB translate the word for inn. It means a place to unload your stuff and rest. There was no room so they had to go somewhere to prepare for the birth. What do you do when there’s no room? You do the best you can. Carolyn and I rode our Harley Davidson from the Philadelphia area to Martha’s Vineyard one summer long ago. We took the ferry over to the island thinking we’d enjoy a pleasant beach. We never did find a public beach. Nighttime came and there was no place to stay. We parked in a pine forest, laid out our sleeping bags on the soft needles and tried to sleep, until we saw a salamander creeping close to our exposed faces. We packed up and headed back to the ferry landing in the middle of the night and tried to sleep on the parking lot with barking dogs keeping us company. When there’s no room, you do what you can. That’s what Joseph did when he found a place for Mary to deliver her child. Justin Martyr of the 2nd century said he and other church leaders camped out in a cave. And we know there are caves in the immediate vicinity of Bethlehem. So that was a possibility for Joseph and Mary.
Second, there doesn’t seem to be anyone there with the couple. There may have been some goats and sheep and cows and chickens and mice and crickets, but there’s no mention of anyone to assist Mary except Joseph.
Third, the moment comes, the final push, and God Almighty now in human form, that hypostatic union we talk about, one Person, two natures, enters this world as a newborn infant, breathes the oxygen-rich air He Himself created, using those little lungs He Himself designed. The umbilical cord must be cut. Hopefully, Joseph had some water to wash this newborn. Mary must have brought those strips of cloth to wrap around His body. She came prepared; mothers are good at that. Have you ever looked into a mother’s bag? They carry everything you may need.
Luke 2:7 says she wrapped Him in cloths. I checked the versions on swaddling vs. just cloths. ESV says, “swaddling cloths.” Another version says, “tightly in cloths.” Either way, she wrapped Him snugly to protect Him and give a sense of security after those months in the womb. Plus, she had to feed Him and change His diaper. However, one thing makes this infant different from every other baby born in world history. This One was holy, without sin, without the curse of original sin. You and I are born sinners. We don’t become sinners when we sin; we sin because we are sinners. But He was holy, innocent, undefiled (Hebrews 7:26).
Last week I promised to explain two false teachings about Mary. Over the centuries these teachings developed as they perceived Mary as taking on almost divine attributes. She has even been called the Mother of God, Mater Dei. The first false teaching, immaculate conception, teaches that Mary herself, when she was conceived, was not cursed with original sin – that she herself was sinless. No, Mary was a sinner like everyone else, although God highly honored her. She talks about God her Savior in Luke 1:47. The second false teaching, Mary’s perpetual virginity, says Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. According to this dogma of the Catholic church, Jesus was not born the regular way through Mary’s birth canal, but He came out of Mary’s bosom like light comes through glass. As brave and godly as Mary was, she was born a sinner like everyone and she gave birth to her son, her own Savior! Also, the Bible tells us Joseph and Mary had five more sons and at least two daughters (Mark 6:3). The teaching that at the end of her earthly life Mary’s body and soul were assumed (taken) up into heaven is also a false teaching.
Back to this miraculous birth. There isn’t anything more miraculous than this – that God Almighty humbled Himself and became a man, that the Word was made flesh and here He is, a newborn, warm, breathing, heart pumping, blood-surging live baby. J. I. Packer wrote, “Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the incarnation.” Mary laid Him in a feeding trough, probably a large stone prepared to hold feed for the animals. Could anything speak humility more than this? Think about Him lying there. That little voice coming through those lips soon would teach the multitudes from a boat. Those little clutching fingers would multiply fish and bread and feed thousands. That little mind would grow in wisdom, and yet He knew what men were thinking. Those little feet, real, warm little feet, would walk on the Sea of Galilee. This was a miraculous birth in every way. Those hands and feet would one day be pierced through by nails, His head would bleed from a crown of thorns, a spear would plunge into his side to make sure He was dead, all because He came to redeem us.
Galatians 4:4-5, But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
THE REASON FOR HIS BIRTH WAS MIRACULOUS
Luke 2:8, In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Why was He born? The good news and great joy was that there was born for you a Savior, Christ the Lord! He was born for you as Savior and Lord! He came to die on that old rugged cross in the place of sinners! Think about this. Mary wrapped Him tightly in cloths as a baby and laid Him in an animal’s feeding trough. After He died for sinners on that cross Joseph of Arimathea wrapped His body with a linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb for three days and nights. Then! Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph over His foes! He defeated sin and death! And now He wraps His people with the robe of His righteousness!
Isaiah 61:10, I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:21, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
What an amazing real-life story. May our hearts be filled with great joy and thankfulness for the miraculous birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord. Is He your Savior and Lord?