Luke 2:1-20
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Turn to the second chapter of Luke. Last week we looked at the birth of John the Baptist. This evening we turn to the birth of Jesus. Because they are read each year at Christmas, these are perhaps some of the most familiar verses in the Bible. Because they are so familiar we need to be extra careful to hear what is being said. It’s easy to speed through the story because we are so familiar with it. We need to slow down.
After bringing their first baby home from the hospital, the wife suggested to her husband that he try his hand at changing diapers. “I’m busy,” he said. “I’ll do the next one.” The next time the baby was wet, she asked if he was ready to learn how to change diapers. He gave her a puzzled look, then said finally, “I didn’t mean the next diaper; I meant the next baby!”
Some people are just too busy, too busy for their own good. It is easy for us to get so busy with life that we miss what is truly important. It’s easy to miss out on a relationship with Jesus because we’re busy with life or even busy serving him. We need to slow down and make time for Jesus.
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. (Luke 2:1-3)
Only Matthew and Luke say anything about the birth of Jesus and Luke gives the most detail.
Caesar Augustus was the Roman emperor when Jesus was born. Caesar Augustus was a title and not his name. His real name was Gaius Octavius. He is also remembered as Octavian. He was the grandnephew of Julius Caesar by whom he had been adopted. He took the title Caesar from his uncle out of curtsy. After that it became a title for Roman emperors. The title Augustus was given to him by the senate. Rome had originally been run by the senate but it had come be ruled by just one man, Caesar. They had suggested giving Octavian the title king of Rome but he didn’t think it sounded important enough. They eventually came up with the name Augustus which carries the meaning “appointed by the gods.” This eventually led to the worship of the Caesars as gods. That makes it particularly interesting that Jesus, the son of God, be born when Caesar Augustus was on the throne, a man who considered himself a god.
It was while Caesar Augustus was emperor that the Roman Empire started the practice of taking a census. Can you imagine the power of this one man to make a decree that would affect so many people? The entire known world was affected. Every living male within the jurisdiction of the Roman government was required to comply.
For years critics questioned Luke’s account and not completely without reason. First, they questioned if there ever was a census. There are no accounts in Roman documents about any census. They said Luke must be wrong and by extension the gospel is wrong and the Bible is wrong. However, archaeology in Egypt eventually proved there was a Roman census that took place every fourteen years. The census had a double purpose, it was used to obtain information for taxes and it was used to identify all men of age liable for compulsory military service. The Jews were not required to serve in the Roman military but they were required to pay taxes.
A second criticism of Luke’s account was the requirement for each man to travel to his ancestral home. Even though we still have no explanation as to its purpose, Egyptian archaeology again proves that Luke was right. That’s exactly what happened. Rome may not have issued this requirement though. They didn’t care as long as they got their money. But in the east and especially among the Jews family heritage was important so rulers there made the requirement.
And then third, there are questions about the times and dates of Quirinius. The dates we have don’t match with what Luke records for us. While it is translated as “first” the word can also mean “before.” That would solve any of these problems. I mention these only to let you know and to demonstrate that any questions can be answered. Many people will find any excuse to question and disregard the Bible.
Luke mentions these precise details to demonstrate the degree to which he investigated the birth, life and death of Jesus. Just because we can’t prove everything Luke wrote was accurate doesn’t mean that it’s not, it just means we haven’t found the right sources. I think Mark Moore put it well when he wrote:
It light of Luke’s reliable research, it seems prudent to accept the accuracy of his account, admitting he probably knew the historical details of which we are ignorant.
I think we are safe to accept what Luke tells us as fact.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (Luke 2:4-5)
The name Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” It was so named because of the fields nearby. Those fields were most famously mentioned in the book of Ruth. When Naomi returned to home to Bethlehem, her daughter-in-law Ruth traveled with her. Once there, Ruth went out into the fields of Boaz to work. And so, Jesus, the Bread of Life, was born in the “House of Bread.”
If you look on a map Bethlehem is located south of Nazareth. We would probably say that went down to Bethlehem. However, if you were to look at a topographical map, Bethlehem is fourteen-hundred feet higher than Nazareth, as is Jerusalem. When you’re walking you definitely notice that incline. So, whenever they traveled to Jerusalem they talked about it in terms of going up.
Joseph and Mary made the trip to Bethlehem because Joseph was required to travel to his ancestral home to register for taxes. It’s painful enough to pay taxes but imagine having to make this difficult journey in order to do so. The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was about eighty miles. Driving it today you could make it from Nazareth to Bethlehem in a little over two hours. They only reason it would take that long is there is no straight route plus there are towns you’d go through where the speed limit is slower. Google maps shows you could walk it in four days IF you walked eight hours a day. There are only two problems with that. First, Jews living in around Galilee didn’t take the most direct route because it would have taken them through Samaria. They instead took a longer route that took them to the other side of the Jordan. Second, I can’t see Mary walking for eight hours a day. Both of those would have added more days. And we can add to that the fact that they would not have walked at all on the Sabbath. It was a day of rest. It would have taken more than a week for the couple to complete the journey.
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:6-7)
What we don’t know is how far along Mary was. All verse 5 tells is that she was pregnant. Verse 6 tells us that Jesus was born while they were in Bethlehem, but it doesn’t tell us how long they’d been there. Most assume Jesus was born on the night they arrived but Luke doesn’t actually say.
What we do know is there was no place for them to stay. Can you imagine traveling that far and then being told there’s no room? Maybe you’ve been in such a situation. You were traveling and decide it’s time to stop for the night only to be welcomed by a “No Vacancy” sign.
Bruce Larson tells the story of traveling with his wife to Atlanta for a conference. When they arrived at the hotel in which they thought they were registered, the hotel wouldn’t take them. They were repeatedly that the hotel was full. A friend of theirs, who was also attending the conference, was waiting behind them. After Bruce and his wife left the counter the man approached the desk clerk, said that he was with a certain well-known firm and that he wanted a room for some friends. Somehow, a room was found. The friend explained, “There’s always room if you belong to the right company.”
Obviously Joseph and Mary didn’t have the right connections. There was no room. Even Mary being pregnant didn’t help. I don’t think that would happen today. Something would be done to find accommodations. But not then even for the birth of the son of God. Of course the innkeeper had no way of knowing who he turning away. He had no way to know that the most earthshaking event in history was soon to take place on his property.
Another misconception we have involves the “inn.” There were no hotels as we know them. The word translated “inn” is only found twice in the New Testament and both are in Luke’s gospel. The second time is in Luke 22 when Jesus gave instructions for the disciples concerning finding a place for the Passover meal.
9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” (Luke 22:9-12)
In verse 11 the word is translated as “guest room.” So, that’s certainly not like how we would think about an inn.
I came across a description of another place they might have visited as well. In order to travel safely, you traveled in groups called a caravan. In the US, with wagons, they were called wagon trains. Along the way and maybe even in Bethlehem, there were places for these caravans to stop with their camels or donkeys and all of their goods. There are ruins of these places that can still be found in the Middle East. These places consisted of a courtyard surrounded by rooms with raised floors. You would spend the night in that empty room with your animals outside your room in the courtyard. If one of those rooms wasn’t available, they would be forced to sleep in the courtyard with the animals which would explain why Jesus was then placed in a manger or feeding trough. They were not made of wood as they are in our nativity sets, but carved out of stone. Perhaps it had some fresh hay in it, other than that it would have been dirty and smelly.
Jesus may have born in that courtyard or he could have been born out in a nearby field. Last Christmas I gave one possible explanation that says Jesus could have been born in the first floor of a tower that was used to watch the sheep. The problem is we just don’t have enough details to answer all of our questions. All we have is speculation. What we do know is Jesus was born in less than ideal location.
That there was no room in the inn was symbolic of what was to happen to Jesus later in life. The only place where there was room for him was on a cross. Jesus sought an entry to the over-crowded hearts of the people but could find no room in most of them. Sadly, that search continues. In Revelation 3, Jesus said:
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20)
Jesus never forces himself into anyone’s life and he won’t force himself into ours. We must make time to be with Jesus. We must allow him to come into our lives and not allow the business of life crowd him out. If the innkeeper had known, do you think he would have made a different decision about Joseph and Mary? There’s no reason to believe he was being mean or malicious, he was just busy and didn’t have time or room and as a result missed out.
However, there were some who did make room in their schedules for Jesus.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (Luke 2:8)
Bethlehem is located only five miles from Jerusalem and the temple. Sheep were needed at the temple where sacrifices were made daily. There is written evidence that those sheep were kept in Bethlehem. Many believe that these shepherds were watching over the temple sheep. The birth of the Lamb of God who would become the ultimate sacrifice was first announced to these shepherds watching over the sheep that would soon be sacrificed at the temple.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:9-12)
The angel begins his message by telling the shepherds not to be afraid. He does that because it is a natural reaction. We see it almost every time an angel appears to someone in the Bible. The angel assures them that they don’t need to be afraid because he has some good news for them. This “good news” is the same word that means gospel which makes sense because the word gospel means good news.
The angel says that this good news will bring joy. And what is the good news? The good news is that the Messiah, the long awaited savior has been born. The one who had been promised to Abraham, Moses, and David, the one mentioned in the prophets has at long last come into the world.
You’ll remember when the angel appeared to Zechariah informing him that Elizabeth would have a son how Zechariah asked for a sign. The shepherds don’t have time to ask this angel for a sign because one is immediately given. The sign would be that they would find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Because we’ve heard the story so many times that doesn’t sound very unusual but it must have sounded unusual to the shepherds because it was the only sign they were given.
The cloths mentioned in verse 7 and here again in verse 12 was a large cloth wrapped around new born babies to hold their arms to their bodies. The belief was that in order for their arms to grow straight they should be held tight against their bodies. SO, for the first week or two they were wrapped like this.
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14)
If the appearance of one angel wasn’t enough to get their attention, suddenly the sky was filled with angels. The Greek says there was a multitude of angels. While we often picture the angels singing, Luke doesn’t tell us that they sang. Instead, they offer praised to God by what they said.
There are only two instances of angles singing in the Bible and the first one is a conjecture. The first possible mention of angels singing is found in Job 38. Chapter 38 is located near the end of the book. It comes after all the debates Job had with his friends. Suddenly God appears to question Job. Job had wanted to question God, but instead, God questions Job. God asks:
Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? (Job 38:2)
Job was demanding the right to defend himself before God, but God says Job didn’t know what he was talking about. God asks where Job was when he created the universe and if he could understand how it was made. Then God asked where Job knew:
6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – 7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? (Job 38:6-7)
When God created the universe the angles sang for joy and worshiped God. The next reference to angels singing comes in Revelation 5. There, the Lamb, Jesus, takes the scroll to open it.
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:8-10)
We have angels singing at creation before the curse and then there’s no record of angles singing until after the curse is removed. At that time they will sing a new song. Right now, only we can sing in worship to God but there are so many who do not.
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. (Luke 2:15-16)
Matthew tells us about the magi coming to visit Jesus and the expensive gifts they brought of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Most likely, that visit was a year after Jesus’ birth. The first visitors were these shepherds.
We tend to think romantically about shepherds. Abraham was a shepherd as were Isaac and Jacob. David was a shepherd. In the Old Testament God often referred to the leaders of his people as shepherds. In the New Testament, Jesus called Peter to shepherd his flock. Church elders are referred to as pastors or shepherds. And of course Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd. However, in both the Old the New Testaments, shepherds were on the low end of the social ladder. When Joseph brought his family to Egypt during the famine the pharaoh said he wanted to meet them. However, Joseph discouraged it, telling him that his family was made up of shepherds and reminding him what the Egyptians thought of shepherds. They despised shepherds. In the New Testament, shepherds were religiously unclean and thus not allowed to go attend services at the synagogue each week or to go to the temple to worship. And yet it was to these unclean shepherds that God announced the birth of his son and it was these unclean shepherds who first visited.
And what did they do after visiting Jesus? They told everyone they saw.
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:17-19)
We saw that after John was born how the relatives and neighbors gathered to celebrate. No doubt Mary had attended such birth celebrations in Nazareth. But now, after the birth of her son, who were there to celebrate with her? First, there were the shepherds and then there were probably those people the shepherds told.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:20)
The shepherds believed what the angels told them which is evident by them going to search for Jesus. And then, after telling others, they went back to work. They returned to their fields to watch the sheep. The shepherds were not on vacation or off the clock when the angels appeared with the good news of Jesus’ birth. They were working. It would have been easy for them to have continued to work and not gone to look for Jesus. Herod didn’t when told of his birth. Even the religious leaders couldn’t be bothered to make the visit. But the shepherds did. They made time for the Messiah. Do we? Or are we too busy?
An anonymous author wrote a poem titled “Too Busy.” The poem says:
Too busy to read the Bible, too busy to wait and pray;
Too busy to speak out kindly, to someone who passes by the way!
Too busy working and worrying, to think of the life to come;
Too busy building earthly mansions, to plan for the Heaven above.
Too busy to help a brother, who faces trials and suffering woes;
Too busy to share his burden, “No time, I’m busy you know.”
Too busy for all that is holy, on earth beneath the sky;
Too busy to serve the Master, but not too busy to die.
No one enjoys changing diapers, but that father will never know what he missed by not taking time to spend with his child. May we never be too busy to read God’s word, too busy to pray, or too busy to take time to worship God.
