And at the very beginning of Jesus’ journey on earth all of this hope and promise was wrapped up in a tiny bundle of newborn humanity; helpless and fragile, nestled in the hay of a feeding trough in a small town in Roman Palestine. 

Sometimes it can be hard to fathom the workings of God. Why didn’t He choose to send His Son, the Messiah, the deliverer of mankind, at a time when human advancement was at its pinnacle? When medical science was at its best and infant mortality wasn’t so frighteningly high? Why not send Him into the flourishing world of the 21st century when he could have been cocooned in a warm blanket inside a sung home? 

Why send Him into the very midst of an era known for its illiteracy, poverty, human cruelty, and widespread disease? Beneath the shadow of one of the most brutal totalitarian regimes ever to grace the face of the planet? 

But God had his reasons. As the song says God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind. Every aspect of Jesus' life was to reveal, not the superiority of human intelligence or the grandeur of human wealth but the glory of the eternal God. 

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his son. At the right time, when He was most needed, when His life could do the most good when His sacrifice could make the greatest impact and His church could flourish and expand across the globe, God sent his son. Jesus came to set in motion the great plan of salvation that was conceived in the mind of God from the foundation of the world. 

Jesus' birth fulfilled so many prophecies. He was born in Bethlehem, which was a feat in and of itself because his parents were from Nazareth and travel in those days was not only arduous but dangerous as well. But God took care of that, and moved upon the heart of Augustus Caesar to call for a census at just the right time. 

Jesus’ mother was a virgin, another divine miracle that was brought to fruition through the faith and surrender of a young Jewish woman who was willing to give God full control to tell her story, the way He had scripted it. 

When Jesus was born there was no room for him in the inn. Perhaps a fitting metaphor of the cramped condition of our hearts when he comes knocking unexpectedly, asking for a slice of space. An allegory for how easily we allow the flooding concerns of life to fill every gap and crevice of our beings until there is no room left for the One who needs to fill the space most. 

Jesus was born in a stable, surrounded by nothing more than the smells and sounds of animals who were crammed into a small, poorly ventilated space. Yet, though the whole world seemed completely oblivious to the amazing events unfolding in a small shed in Palestine, God was not content to let the birth of his son pass by without some announcement. 

Angels had been eagerly waiting for permission to set the skies alight with their glory and without warning, above the quiet plains of Judea, they broke out into triumphant song. It was, most likely, the sweetest music ever heard by mortal ears. The angels visited the shepherds and shared with them the jubilant news; “For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a savior which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11)

Their choice seems a little strange. Why go to shepherds? Not the most literate or recognisably spiritual group of people? Not the most powerful or influential either. Yet, they were most likely the most receptive and the most willing to not only listen to the news but act on it and spread it as well. 

Unlike the shepherds, the spiritual elite of Israel were deluded by a false perception of who the Messiah would be and how he would come. They expected him to come in a cloud of avenging glory, seeking to vanquish their hated oppressors. This misconception had been nurtured by a hatred for the Romans and an incorrect interpretation of the old testament prophecies. Their desire for the Romans to receive a Divine comeuppance blinded them to the true nature and ministry of the Messiah. 

When Jesus came as a baby in a manger the Jewish leaders weren’t prepared to recognise Him and this initial oversight set them up for the continuous rejection of everything He stood for throughout His ministry. 

The story of Jesus' birth offers so many practical lessons. First, if Jesus can be born in a filthy stable, then he can be born in your heart, no matter how dirty you might believe it to be. None of us are too sinful for Jesus to save.

Second, we need to come to the Scriptures with hearts that are open and ears that are willing to hear. Unlike the Jewish leaders we need to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit or we might find ourselves interpreting scripture in ways that are not only self gratifying but inaccurate as well. 

Third, Jesus was a man of humble beginnings and he went on to impact the world in a way that no other human being ever has. His life proves that God is not interested in wealth or affluence. He is looking for hearts that are open to doing His will.

Fourth, God will speak to those who are willing to hear and act on what He has to say. This is seen in the way he communicated with both the shepherds and with Mary. If you are willing to open your heart to the commands of God, the possibilities before you are limitless. 

Jesus was not afraid to get his hands dirty when he came to earth the first time. He was not afraid to fraternise with the poorest, the humblest and the most illiterate, conversely, he didn’t shy away from engaging with the rich, educated or articulate members of society either. Perhaps that is the most important takeaway when we think about the birth of Jesus; Jesus reached humanity where they were, no questions asked. How often do we expect people to meet us where we are instead of being willing to reach them where they are? Let’s take a moment to consider that.