THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

Passage: Luke 2:1-7

Key verse: 7

NIV

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus(A) issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(B) 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)(C) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem(D) the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him(E) and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 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.

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:2 Or This census took place before
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days (A)a decree went out from (B)Caesar Augustus that all the world should be (C)registered. 2 This was the first (D)registration when[a] Quirinius (E)was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up (F)from Galilee, from the town of (G)Nazareth, to Judea, to (H)the city of David, which is called (I)Bethlehem, (J)because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And (K)while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and (L)wrapped him in swaddling cloths and (M)laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in (N)the inn.[c]

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 2:2 Or This was the registration before
  2. Luke 2:5 That is, one legally pledged to be married
  3. Luke 2:7 Or guest room
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The decree of an emperor (1-5) When Jesus Christ was born, the Roman Empire was the world government in power. Emperor Caesar Augustus' census decree caused Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the town where King David was born. Powerful empires and rulers seem to be in control of history. But to God, these are the background for the main actors. 2. The baby in a manger (6-7) Caesar's decree actually fulfilled a prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Mt 2:6). Mary's baby born deserved a magnificent welcome in a grand palace. But he was placed in a manger at birth. It looks lovely on Christmas cards today, but actually it is sad and pitiful. This was a precursor to Jesus' life of humility and suffering. But who is remembered, praised and followed today: Caesar Augustus or Jesus Christ?

Prayer: Lord, you are worthy of all praise and devotion. May we not envy Caesar's throne and power, but follow you, humbly and faithfully.

One Word: Our King came as a baby in a manger