The Birth of Jesus Christ – Part 2

This is the second installment of a three-part series on the birth of Jesus Christ. In part one we looked at lesser-known facts regarding Mary and Joseph and their backgrounds.

In this post, I will be sharing for your consideration the travel to Bethlehem, the birth and the Angelic proclamation of the birth of Jesus Christ to certain shepherds watching over their flock at night.

Scripture – Luke 2:1-18 (MEV)

The Decree

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed. – Luke 2:1 (MEV)

• The word “decree” is the Greek word dogma, and it describes a public degree, which in this context was issued by the Roman Senate. Whenever the Roman Senate issued a dogma /decree, it was to be obeyed with no questions asked.

Caesar Augustus was Octavian. In 27 BC the Roman Senate formally granted Octavian overarching power and the new title Augustus, effectively making him the first emperor.

• In Greek, the word “taxed” means to be enrolled. It was a word used to describe an empire-wide “census” to determine the population of the empire and to determine the possible tax revenue and budget of the government.

Taxation

This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And everyone went to his own city to be taxed. Luke 2:2-3 (MEV)

• “Everyone” is a translation of the Greek word hekastos, which means everyone; all; no one excluded.

Therefore, this tells us, the whole Roman Empire was involved. This most likely was the census that began in 8 BC. Due to the size of the Empire, common sense would dictate that it would have taken a few years to accomplish.

This should lay to rest the argument that Luke was in error concerning the census with those who try to find errors in Scripture. Luke was relaying facts of the area of the birth of Jesus Christ in Judean province. Those who lived in the Judean province, in accordance with the Jewish method, traveled into his own city of birth to be counted in the census.

God was clearly at work orchestrating events to fulfill biblical prophecy. More than 730 years before Christ was born, the prophet Micah predicted:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    although you are small among the tribes of Judah,
from you will come forth for Me
    one who will be ruler over Israel.
His origins are from of old,
    from ancient days. – Micah 5:2 (MEV)

In order for that prophecy to be fulfilled, God used the census decree from Augustus Caesar to get Mary and Joseph into Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. –Luke 2:4-5 (MEV)

Over 2000 years ago, Mary and Joseph made the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  They likely traveled with a caravan of other travelers, perhaps with others returning for the census for the safety and companionship of traveling in numbers.  

This journey that Joseph and Mary set out on was long and difficult for anyone, much less a woman who was nine months pregnant and ready to give birth at any moment.

We don’t know exactly what route they took—perhaps the shorter but more demanding walk along the trade route through the center of the region, or possibly the less mountainous way through the Jordan River Valley.

Regardless of the route, the approximately 80-100 mile trip would have taken them 8-10 long days of walking mostly uphill.  Nazareth is 1174 feet above sea level and Bethlehem-Ephratah is 2543 feet above sea level.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. – Luke 2:6-7 (MEV)

No room in the Inn for the Birth of Jesus Christ?

A multitude of travelers was crowding the city for the Roman census. By the time Joseph and Mary arrived, all the rooms were already taken. Due to her pregnancy, they would have taken longer to reach Bethlehem.

Contrary to the cards and movies that depict the birth of Jesus Christ in a stable, the reality is, Most likely the birth of Jesus Christ occurred in a cave used for the birthing of sacrificial lambs. 

After the Baby Jesus was born, He was wrapped in “swaddling clothes” and laid in a manger (or feeding trough for the animals). Swaddling clothes described in the Bible consisted of a cloth tied together by bandage-like strips. Was she aware that she was wrapping the Lamb of God?

The care of the baby Jesus immediately after birth consisted of cutting the umbilical cord, bathing the infant, rubbing him with salt, and swaddling. The salt was applied to the baby’s skin to make it harden. Moreover, the salt would kill any bacteria that might be found on the child. 

• the word “firstborn” is the Greek word prototokos, which means the first of other children.

There are some religious faiths that teach Mary only had one child, Jesus. However, that is clearly not what the Bible states. The fact that Luke uses the Greek word prototokos, indicates there were other children born after Him.

The Angels and the Shepherds

And in the same area, there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. – Luke 2:8 (MEV)

The Shepherd’s Field

This field was not just any field where shepherds tended their sheep. This area was and still is called Shepherd’s Field. Hence, this field was utilized for the sheep being raised for temple sacrifices.

Levitical Shepherds

These shepherds were extraordinary shepherds. They were called “Levitical Shepherds”. They had been chosen and trained to attend the flock of sheep that were to be used as sacrificial lambs in the Temple. One of their tasks was to make certain that none of these lambs were blemished while being birthed. Moreover, the shepherds who attended these lambs, being under special rabbinical care, were also required to keep their birthing caves ritually clean.

God’s Glory Manifested

And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. – Luke 2:9 (MEV)

• The Greek word translated as “glory” is doxa. Doxa describes the manifestation of God. It is His glory, His splendor, and His weighty presence.

• “Shone round” them is a translation of the Greek word perilampo. It means to shine all around or to encircle with light. This was not a light that lit up the entire countryside. Rather, it was what we would call a spotlight that began to shine down directly on these shepherds.

How would you react if out of nowhere an angel materialized and the presence of God began manifesting like a spotlight all around you? Clearly, these shepherds were not sitting around waiting for an angelic appearance. Thus, the abrupt arrival caught them totally by surprise. It was a sudden, surprising, dazzling event.

Unto You is Born

But the angel said to them, “Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:10-11 (MEV) 

From the beginning, there was no doubt of who Jesus was and what His mission on earth would be. Jesus would be:

• Savior – a translation of the Greek word Soter, meaning:
  • Deliverer
  • Savior
  • Healer
  • Preserver
• Christ – a translation of the Greek word Christos, meaning the Anointed One. It is the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word Messiah.
• Lord – a translation of the Greek word Kurios. Kurios means Lord or Absolute Lord.

Therefore, from the beginning, we see that Jesus is everything we need. Moreover, there is no higher authority or power than Jesus Christ in all creation. He reigns supreme!

A Sign to You

And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:12 (MEV)

In order for the shepherds to know for sure that they had found Christ the Lord, the angel gave them a significant sign for which to look. God spoke to the shepherds in symbols they would understand.

• “Sign” is the Greek word semeion, and it means to document, verify, or guarantee; it is proof.  It alerts a viewer in this case that what he is seeing is authentic.

This sign was specifically for the shepherds because the Greek word used for “to you” is huemon, and it literally means, especially for you.

Why Was the Sign of Swaddling Clothes Important?

• “Swaddling clothes” is the translation the King James Bible uses for the Greek word sparganoo. However, sparganoo describes bandages or strips of material.

It was the job of the shepherds to take care of sheep, which included tiny, newborn lambs. When the mother ewe was preparing to give birth, she was taken to a special place, or to the only cave designated, to give birth to the sacrificial lambs. This cave was kept sterile and clean for the arrival of newborn sacrificial Iambs. The newborn lamb was immediately wrapped in clean swaddling cloths to protect them and keep them from blemish and danger. 

Therefore, sparganoo would have been something they were very used to seeing. Thus, when the shepherds found Christ the Lord — the Anointed One, the Supreme Lord of all — He was going to look just like one of the little sacrificial lambs for which they had been caring.

A Massive Manifestation of the Armies of Heaven

Suddenly there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men.” – Luke 2:13-14 (MEV)

• Exaiphnes is the Greek word for “suddenly” which means unexpectedly or suddenly; taking one off guard and by surprise.
• The phrase “a multitude/a company” depending on your translation is the Greek word plethos, and it describes the whole number, the whole multitude; the assemblage.
• “Host” is the Greek word stratia, which is the term that describes an organized group of soldiers or an assembly of soldiers.

Therefore, in this case, all of Heaven’s army had shown up on the scene to witness the event. The shepherds went from seeing the sudden appearance of one angel to seeing the sudden, supernatural appearance of all the troops of Heaven!

Prior to the miraculous birth of Christ, the angels had not seen or looked into the face of God. When the Anointed One was born, the massive army of Heaven showed up to look into the visible face of their Commander-in-Chief.

With one voice, all of Heaven’s armies harmoniously announced and celebrated the birth of God in the flesh. He is Emmanuel — God with us!

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger.  When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them. – Luke 2:15-18 (MEV)

Final Words

My final post looks at the Wise men/Magi and Herod the Great.

Let us not forget the real purpose of Christmas. It isn’t just a time to reflect on the “baby” Jesus born in Bethlehem so long ago. It is also a time to remember that Jesus was born to die for us. Jesus was willing to do whatever was required to redeem us from Satan — even unto death on a Cross! Moreover, He now sits as King of kings and Lord of lords at the right hand of His Father waiting for the word to return and set up His kingdom here on earth. That is what Christmas is all about!

Scriptures used are from biblegateway.com and unless otherwise noted, I’m using the New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

• Is Luke Wrong About the Time of Jesus’ Birth?
• Hiking the Nativity Trail from Nazareth to Bethlehem
• Did Mary Have Other Children?
• Shepherds and swaddling clothes
• The Birth Process