‘Twas just days before the Christ child’s birth, and pilgrims were traveling. They were going home to pay taxes by order of Ceasar Augustus. Among them, enroute to Bethlehem, the town of David, were Joseph and Mary. This engaged couple was from Nazareth, making a weeklong journey to their ancestral home. Mary was very pregnant, her baby expected any day.
The trip was difficult. Mary was uncomfortable but did not complain. Joseph was anxious, doing all he knew to accommodate Mary’s needs in a caring way. Day by day, mile by mile, step by step, they made their way.
On arrival in Bethlehem town the young couple were at first unable to find a place to lodge – which was too bad because Mary had gone into labor. When lodging was finally secured, it would be in an animal stable. Here the young woman, no older than her late teen years, gave birth to a son – the Son of God – whom she laid in a manger for his first bed.
His was a humble birth, befitting common parents of few means, who were encumbered by the demands of an occupying empire. But this baby was of God’s chosen people, in the very line of King David and Father Abraham. His birth had been foretold by prophets Isaiah and Micah. It would be celebrated in heaven and on earth as angelic choirs burst forth in song, and meek, poor shepherds came to bend their knee to the newborn king.
The details of what would have otherwise been an unrecorded birth, have become the heart-warming natal story of our Savior Jesus. It’s a story read, sung, proclaimed and treasured each year. Why?
Jesus’ birth introduced a new realm, which He called the Kingdom of God. It is a realm we pray to be fully known “on earth as it is in heaven”. His birth makes possible the reconciliation of separated people with their Creator. It will one day lead to the restoration of creation in a new heaven and new earth. This restoration will include the fullness of communion between God and humankind. All because Jesus would come to earth – come to die – to bridge the gap caused by sin, giving us a path back to God. He came as “God with us” (Emmanuel) and God for us. He is God loving us and God forgiving us.
This – this is Christmas! It’s the celebration feast of Jesus’ birth, filled with the echo of “Unto us a child is born! Unto us a Son is given. . . And His name is called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God”, Savior, Lord, Messiah, Anointed One.
Behind all the glitz, lights and traditions of Christmas lies this story, the greatest story. The candy canes (like shepherd staffs), gift giving (in the Magi’s example), twinkle lights (for the Light of the World), carols and songs (ala the angel chorus), all point us to a night long ago in Bethlehem when “unto us” came one to be among us. It was God “pitching tent” in our very neighborhood. God in Christ – fully human and fully divine – our newborn king. Happy birthday King Jesus! Merry Christmas to all. Joy to the world!
© Daniel M. Cash 2025
danielcash 