- And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
Luke started it off wanting the reader to understand this isn’t a made up story. It’s more like a history book. Real people. Real events.
- This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
- So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
He was born with the name Octavian, named after his father.
His grandmother was the sister of Julius Caesar, and being a talented young man, Octavian came to the attention of his great uncle. Julius Caesar eventually adopted Octavian as his son, and he was made his official heir in 45 B.C.
Within a year Caesar was murdered, and Octavian ended up ruling Rome. His authority brought peace.
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.
God needed Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. Why?
Prophecy:Micah 5:2 – “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
So with the decree Mary and Joseph head to Bethlehem. Joseph was from the lineage of King David, so they had to go to Bethlehem to register.
The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem (just outside of Jerusalem) is about 80 miles. This was not a short distance in those days. It was a significant undertaking, costing time and money.
It is possible that he used the emperor’s order as a means of removing Mary from possible gossip and emotional stress in her own village. He had already accepted her as his wife.
- So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
We often think that Mary was close to delivery when they made this journey, but this may not have been the case at all. Joseph may have been anxious to get her out of Nazareth to avoid the pressure of scandal.
Luke tells us that it was while they were in Bethlehem, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
- And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a [b]manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
This phrase is filled with wonder.
We are not told that anyone assisted Mary in the birth, though someone may have.
One way or another, this young woman was completely separated from all her family and supporting friends, who lived back in Nazareth.
Wrapped Him in swaddling cloths: These are snugly wrapped strips of cloth. More remarkable than the swaddling cloths is the fact that He was laid in a manger – a feeding trough for animals.
The word translated swaddling cloths comes from the ancient Greek word meaning “to tear,” meaning they were torn strips of cloth wrapped around Jesus.
This happened in a public place, with other travelers and residents. “Men were trafficking, and little children playing, and women gossiping beside the well – and lo! The kingdom of heaven was among them.