12/18/22 - O Little Town of Bethlehem - Luke 2:1-14 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Joseph and Mary were required to travel to their ancestral homeland to be counted for the census. They were from the line of David so this meant a four or five day trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem (known as the city of David). Do you realize the prophet Micah foretold the birthplace of Jesus 500 years before Jesus was born? 

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” 
-Micah 5:2 

Think about this young couple. As God fearing Hebrews they know Micah's prophecy. Did they also know that the messiah would be born of a virgin? I think so.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” 
-Isaiah 7:14 

On the way to Bethlehem perhaps they were thinking, “Wow, we are two for two!!” It must have been truly amazing from their perspective to see these events unfold - especially for Mary the pregnant virgin. Moreso, Mary gets a visit from an angel with a very special message in advance.

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy - the Son of God. 
-Luke 1:31-35

Mary knew she was giving birth to the Son of God. You would think things would be easy going from here; but no. When arriving in Bethlehem the anxiety builds.

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 
-Luke 2:6-7 

Max Lucado calls the birthplace of Jesus, "majesty in the midst of the mundane." A manger is a wooden structure from which animals are fed.  Why would God have his son born into the sights, sounds and smells of farm animals? Because God is revealing that Jesus is for everyone. Jesus was not born in an intimidating palace behind a massive gate that keeps people out. Instead, Jesus could be found in a lowly stable accessible to all; just as the angel proclaimed to common shepherds.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 
-Luke 2:10-11

Upon hearing the announcement of Jesus’ birth a chorus of angels begin to sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” -Luke 2:14

Let’s not forget the words surrounding the birth of Jesus - great joy, peace, do not fear, reign, never ending kingdom, Immanuel. It all began in that little town of Bethlehem.