The King is Born
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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 2:6-7
Once they made the difficult journey to Bethlehem to be counted in the census, Joseph and Mary must have been extremely exhausted, particularly Mary. Of course, Joseph’s exhaustion came mainly from worrying about Mary and her discomfort in traveling 70 miles to Bethlehem. They tried to find a room in which to stay, but because so many citizens of Galilee and other parts of Israel had come to Bethlehem to also be counted, all the available rooms were taken.
I can only imagine the look of disappointment on the faces of the couple. What were they going to do? There was one space available, and it was a place where animals were kept. Most people assume that it was a stable, barn, or cave where Joseph and Mary found lodging, but we are not told what type of accommodations were provided to them except that there was a manger, an animal feeding trough, there. Some believe that it was the lower floor of a person residence where animals were kept. At this point and likely after dark, the two of them were probably grateful for some place to lie down and rest even if it was among sheep, goats, and maybe chickens.
Contractions began. Maybe Mary’s water broke. In any case, Baby Jesus was on the way to what would be a birth like no other. Most women of our day have a sterile hospital room for delivery with a doctor and nurses, or a midwife, to assist. They also can be given pain medication either in pill form or by injection. Even so, it is still very painful. Think about Mary who had no doctor, nurses, or medication to alleviate the pain, even a little bit, but she did have the LORD God of heaven and earth who would not let anything go wrong in this miraculous birth. God would protect this precious Child of His along with His blessed mother.
I can only imagine how Joseph was feeling at this time. Mary was in pain, and there was nothing that he could do about it. Chances are that he had assisted in the delivery of farm animals, and if so, it could be that he was acting as a midwife to help, but I would think that he was very frightened. He loved Mary, and I can imagine he was feeling every contraction himself. The Baby wasn’t his biological offspring, but that didn’t matter. This Baby was going to be the Messiah who would rule the world.
Baby Jesus was delivered and must have let out a cry when He took His first human breath. Mary and Joseph would have been greatly relieved that everyone was safe and sound. Mary wrapped Baby Jesus in swaddling clothes, strips of cloth wound snuggly around a baby which makes a baby feel safe and secure as if they were still in the womb. Everyone who has ever lived on earth was born to a mother and experienced the journey down the birth canal and his or her entrance into the unknown world. It must be quite a shock to a newborn, but none of us can remember what it was like. And that’s probably a good thing.
Jesus had finally arrived on earth, the Son of God, but how would anyone find out? Next time: The Privilege of the Shepherds