Immanuel

Luke 2:1 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. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

A question: If you were God, and your plan was to enter the world, how would you accomplish that?

When you think of the crush of celebrity - and everything that takes place when the public is aware of the presence of a huge celebrity - would it be like that? Could it be like that? Would that work? Would it not be the greatest event in the history of the world? Would it not draw the greatest crowd in the history of the world? Wouldn’t it be great to draw a huge crowd – so all could know at once that God had entered into His creation?

God chose an alternate path of entry. Fascinating. It had always been planned this way, and now it was accomplished. At Bethlehem, a wide spot in the road. In a stable, apart from the maddening crowds. The very antithesis of what may have been expected.

It must have been very troubling for Mary to know that she was giving birth to the Son of God in such a mean estate. Can you imagine? We want the very best circumstances and environments for the birth of our children.

But God’s plan was to come into the world to a world unawares. Rather than appearing in grandiosity, God would depend on men to get the word out about His birth. He still does.

-  Pastor Bill