When Jesus, the King of Kings and creator of the universe, willingly chose to step down from His throne in heaven to walk among His most beloved creation here on Earth, it would not be far-fetched to assume that He would make His arrival on a grand stage with all of the eyes of the earth fixed upon Him. We can easily imagine a grand palace with royal trumpets to announce His birth with kings and queens from the vast kingdoms throughout the land lining up to get a glimpse of the baby and to shower him with expensive gifts. All spotlights would shine on Jesus.

Part of the beauty of the gospel story is that it didn’t happen this way…not even in a minor detail. In fact, when God made His plan to come to save us, it was His plan all along to come to a small rural town called Bethlehem (which is famous today but was virtually unknown when Jesus was born). This was foretold by the prophet Micah…

“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.” Micah 5:2 NIV

Far from a palace with fanfare and luxury, Jesus was born in a stable within a cave behind an inn in Bethlehem because the small town was beyond capacity due to a Roman Census. Luke tells the story…

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:1-7 NIV

Occasionally, a person will tell me that the Bible is completely fictional, made up by men who wanted to concoct a fantastical story. But in such a story, don’t you think that the Messiah would be born in a royal palace with great fanfare rather than a cold stable filled with filthy animals because no one would take them in? This is part of the beauty of the birth narrative of the Messiah. God humbly came to earth to rescue His people from their sins not to rule in power from an earthly throne in a luxurious palace built for earthly kings.

Prayer emphasis: Contemplate today that God knows what you need better than you know yourself. Thank Him for coming to rescue you from your own sinfulness.

For family discussion…
Discuss why you think that Jesus wasn’t born in a palace with great fanfare and celebration?
What is the significance of the Messiah being born in a stable in a small unknown town with almost no one around to witness the birth?