The Greatest Journey: The Birth of Baby Jesus
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Read on to hear Luke tell you the story of how Jesus was born in a simple town, why His family traveled, and what a manger really was. This is the simple truth of the first Christmas.
Birth of Jesus Bible Verses: Luke 2: 1-7
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
I. A Great Command from a Great Ruler
I want to tell you how the journey began.
In those days, the world was ruled by a very powerful man called Caesar Augustus. He was a great king who ruled over many nations, including Israel where Joseph and Mary lived.
This Caesar Augustus had a very important idea. He commanded that all the world should be registered. Think of it like a giant, worldwide roll call!
Why did he want to do this? He wanted to count every person so that his great government would know how many people lived in his empire and who they were. This was a custom of the Romans—they kept excellent records.
This great count, which we call a census, was the first one to happen in Israel while a man named Quirinius was the governor over the land of Syria.
II. Joseph and Mary: A Humble Family's Life
When this command was given, the families who lived in Israel were busy every day. Joseph, for example, was a simple man who worked with his hands. He was a carpenter, which meant he helped build houses, tables, and yokes for oxen. Mary, wife, managed their home.
In Israel, families were very important, and everyone knew which family they belonged to. This was part of their history and their faith!
Caesar’s command meant that every person had to travel back to the specific city where their family's history began.
III. The Long Road to Bethlehem
Because of this law, everyone had to travel to their ancestral city to be counted. Can you imagine packing up your house and walking many days just to be registered by the Roman government?
Joseph and Mary lived in a small, quiet village called Nazareth, which was way up north in the region of Galilee. But Joseph’s family—his house and lineage—came from a different, very famous place: the city of David.
So, Joseph rose up and led Mary on the long journey. They had to travel south, out of Galilee and into the rocky, dusty land of Judea. This trip was hard! The path was steep in places, winding through the dry hills where shepherds often watched their sheep.
They traveled for many days until they finally arrived at the City of David, which is called Bethlehem.
IV. No Room in the Inn
Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem because they belonged to the great family line of King David. But the time had come! Mary was very close to having her baby.
When they arrived, the little town of Bethlehem was crowded! So many other families had come for the census that the town was completely full.
They looked for a place to rest, a simple room at an inn (which was often just a large, communal room where many travelers slept together). But the Scripture tells us a very simple, honest truth: There was no room for them in the inn.
What did they do?
Joseph found a sheltered spot. Because they had no room inside, Mary finally brought forth her firstborn Son. She gently wrapped Him in swaddling cloths—long strips of cloth used to keep a newborn baby snug and warm.
And where did she lay the King of the World? Not in a royal cradle, but in a simple manger. A manger was the feeding trough, usually carved from stone or wood, where the animals—the donkeys, the cows, or the goats—ate their hay.
This simple truth shows us how God works. The Savior of the world, Jesus, was born in a humble place, surrounded by the quietness of the animals, because that was all the world had room for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who was Caesar Augustus?
A: Caesar Augustus was the very powerful ruler, or emperor, of the huge Roman Empire. He was the boss of the whole land where Joseph and Mary lived, and everyone had to obey his laws.
Q: Why was a manger used instead of a bed?
A: A manger was a feeding box for animals. Because the family could not find a spare room for travelers, they had to stay in a simple place where the animals were kept, and the only 'bed' available for the baby was the clean, wooden or stone trough where hay was put for the animals to eat.
Q: What is the "house and lineage of David?"
A: This means that Joseph's ancestors were part of the family that included King David, a very famous and important king in Israel's history. Going back to their ancestral home of Bethlehem was a way of honoring that family history.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed hearing how the greatest story began with a long walk, a crowded town, and a simple stable. The message is clear: even when the world is busy and there seems to be no room for what is important, God makes a way.
The next time you see a quiet, humble thing, remember that great things often start in the smallest places.
Do you want to know what happened next when the shepherds heard the news? Or would you like to explore what a carpenter like Joseph built in a typical day? Let me know, and we can continue the story!
👉 Birth Of Baby Jesus Flash Cards
References
Avery, G. (2018). The First Christmas: Daily Life in Ancient Israel. HarperOne.
DeVaux, R. (1997). Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions. (J. McHugh, Trans.). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (Original work published 1961).
Fiensy, D. A. (2016). New Testament Introduction: The Essential Guide to the Gospels and Acts. Baker Academic.
Sloan, D. C. (2019). The Roman Census and the Birth of Jesus: A Historical and Theological Analysis of Luke 2:1-7. Journal of Biblical Literature, 138(4), 789–805.
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