December 25, 2018 – Luke 3:4-5

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. Luke 2:4-5.

Joseph is described in these two verses.  Not only is he a part of King David’s lineage, he is loyal and trustworthy and obeys the decree of Augustus, the Roman Emperor.  This decree means a trip of about 70 miles and will take Joseph and Mary about three days.

Their means of travel is with a donkey, a difficult trip for Mary to make.  Micah 5:2 foretells Jesus will be born in Bethlehem.  No public transportation or vehicle is available.  Joseph walks, leading the donkey. Mary feels each step of the donkey through her body for three days.

There was no way to make a reservation for a place to stay, so they had no place to stay, except a stable with no room service.  The time came for Baby Jesus to be born.  No hospital was available, Mary’s firstborn son is born in the pungent smell of hay, where animals stayed.

The prophecy in Isaiah 9:6, tells who this baby will be.  For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This baby Jesus, born in a manger, left the earth giving us a gift: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”  John 14:27

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 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 2:6-7.