Dec 22.97: Light For The Day - "Jesus Is Born"

Luke 2:1-7 (NIV):

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree
that a census should be taken of the entire Roman
world. (This was the first census that took place
while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 
And everyone went to his own town to register. 
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. He went there to register with Mary, who
was pledged to be married to him and was
expecting a child. While they were there, the time
came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to
her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and
placed him in a manger, because there was no
room for them in the inn."
-- Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)
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Life Application Study Bible Notes:

- Luke is the only Gospel recorded the events related
to the birth of Jesus to world history.

- God controls all history. By the decree of Emperor
Augustus, Joseph and Mary have to leave their
hometown, Nazareth, and journey the 70 miles to the
Judean village of Bethlehem. Jesus was born in the
very town prophesied for his birth (Micah 5:2), even
though his parents did not live there.

- Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David. 
The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that the
Messiah would be born in David's royal line
(Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 33:15; Ezekiel 37:24; ...)

- The mention of the manger is the basis for the
traditional belief that Jesus was born in a stable. 
Stables were often caves with feeding troughs
(mangers) carved into the rock walls. Despite
popular Christmas card pictures, the surroundings
were dark and dirty. This was not the atmosphere
the Jews expected as the birthplace of the Messiah
King. They thought their promised Messiah would
be born in royal surroundings. We should not limit 
God by our expectations. He is at work wherever
he is needed in our sin-darkened and dirty world.

- Although our first picture of Jesus is as a baby in
a manger, it must not be our last. The Christ-child
in the manger has been made into a beautiful
Christmas scene, but we cannot leave Him there. 
this tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died
for us, ascended to heaven, and will come back to
this earth as King of kings. Christ will rule the world
and judge all people according to their decisions
about Him. Do you still picture Jesus as a baby in
a manger - or He is your LORD? Make sure you
don't underestimate Jesus. Let Him grow up in
your life.

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