You Are Not the Only One

The Birth of Christ

Imagine the sense of expectation, as well as concern, on this night. No mother wants to deliver her firstborn child in . . .

1. a manger carved out of a piece of rock.
2. a place where animals were placed to be fed and pooped, etc., (the Pharisees would have had a fit!), 
3. a place where none of her relatives lived.  She had no mother, midwife, doctor, or birthing coach to help with the delivery of this precious child.

But the young woman chosen by God to give birth to his only son did just that. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:7 KJV

The prophecy foretold centuries before by the prophet Isaiah became a reality, and the Savior of mankind was born.

Just visualize this young woman, who as a mother for the first time wrapping her baby -alone – Joseph didn’t know what to do with the baby. Probably, many mothers in the community told her precisely what she needed to for the birth of her baby? Note Mary didn’t borrow the swaddling clothes. This mother was prepared for the delivery of her child.

Somewhere in the valley were lowly shepherds. Just doing their thing and taking care of their sheep. Well, if they were outside taking care of their sheep, we know that it could not have been wintertime.  The shepherds taking care of the sheep when something astounding happened.

The first visitors: Shepherds

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Wait a minute! Shepherds were the baby’s first visitors? Shepherds lived and worked in an environment that would make them ceremonially unclean. The religious leaders of the day would not be seen dead with a “filthy” shepherd. (See this article about shepherds.) The Priests, leaders of the city, and governors were not the first visitors to see the King of King and Lord of Lord, The El Shaddai, no it was a group of non-powerful people. It speaks to God’s sense of who is important to him as opposed to who we would have thought should witness the birth of Christ.

The shepherds saw and heard what?

The night did not remain silent. The Heavens explodes with thunderous praise as Angels witnessed the realization of God’s plan for humanity, and glorified his name.

Be honest now, what would you do if the heavens opened and then a bunch of strange beings started to have a praise and worship session right there, in the middle of the night, in front of the sheep whom you were hoping would remain asleep? 

But God had a plan.

A plan of redemption for all of humanity, and it was happening in a place where no one would want their child born, and the shepherds were the first to hear the good news and the first to see the Christ child. I wonder why?

Prayer: Lord, we know that you exalt the lowly. Give us hearts that are willing to be used by you, even during extraordinary circumstances.