‘To us a child is born \u2026 Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’. (Is 9:6)<\/p>\n
Have you noticed there is no reference in the Gospels to Jesus\u2019 birth in a stable? Nor does it say Jesus was born the night Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem. Rather, Luke records Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to register, Mary was expecting, and: \u2018While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born\u2019. (Luke 2:6)<\/p>\n
There is no suggestion of a breathless arrival in the village, with baby Jesus born that night! And, it would have been unthinkable for Mary to be left without care, to give birth alone, or with a man (Joseph) present. It is true: Bethlehem was crowded, but no Middle Eastern family would neglect a pregnant wife \u2013 and there is no suggestion this was the case. Just the opposite! The family guest rooms \u2013 called an inn, but not the same as a commercial inn \u2013 were occupied. So what does the story suggest?<\/p>\n
Imagine the excitement: \u2018the time came for the baby to be born\u2019. (Luke 2:6) The women cleared the family living area where the cooking and baking was done, where the family slept each night. This space was adjacent to a lower area (maybe even a cave, from which the home extended)\u00a0where domestic animals stood and rested during the night, with their feeding troughs or \u2018mangers\u2019 in the floor of the living space \u2013 the presence of the animals providing warmth for the family during the winter months. The men would have been banished, the baby was born, wrapped and placed in the perfect crib, \u2018a manger\u2019 in the heart of the home.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the shepherds \u2013 rough and poor men \u2013 received the good news: \u2018Christ the Lord\u2019 had been born, \u2018wrapped \u2026 and lying in a manger\u2019. (Luke 2:12) Their being out in the fields at that time rules out the winter months (December to February) as his birth time. Although poor, these men understood the value of life \u2013 and babies. They went, found the baby as they had been told and \u2018spread the word\u2019 \u2013 \u2018glorifying and praising God\u2019. (Luke 2:20) Jesus was born in poverty, and welcomed by the poorest.<\/p>\n
— from Following Jesus: disciple making & movement building<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ‘To us a child is born \u2026 Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’. (Is 9:6) Have you noticed there is no reference in the Gospels to Jesus\u2019 birth in a stable? Nor does it say Jesus was born the night Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem. Rather, Luke records Joseph and Mary… Continue reading