A Night to Remember

    First century Nazareth was not a place most of us would choose to spend our Christmas holiday. The city catered heavily to transient soldiers and tradesmen accessing its port. It is likely that the district's sullied reputation led Nathanael to say, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46) This is where Mary, the mother of Christ, lived.

    On a cold winter's night 2,000 years ago, Mary and Joseph traveled nearly 90 miles on foot, with the help of a few donkeys, to Bethlehem. They likely followed the eastern bank of the Jordan River, an uncommercialized route. They may have slept under a tree for shelter because nights in the hill country were frequently rainy. Mary arrived in Bethlehem nine months pregnant, having made an incredibly difficult journey across the desert. The city was teeming with weary travelers, and the young couple could find no vacant inn. Desperate for a place to rest, they resorted to a stable.

    It was here, in the darkness of a damp and dreary stable, that our Savior entered the world. There was no ceremony when this King arrived, no trumpets announcing His entrance, no entourage to escort Him, no welcoming committee to receive Him. Only Mary, Joseph, and a few animals were present at His birth.

    Why would a sovereign heavenly Father choose to deliver the Savior of all mankind to the world in such a humble fashion? Couldn't He just as easily have been born in the temple and presented to the Jewish high priest, or even to the Pharisees and Sadducees? Why not send thundering angels into the palace of King Herod or Caesar Augustus and demand homage to the King of Kings? Why use lowly commoners from Nazareth to usher Him in?

    The reason is that His mercy reaches to the poorest of the poor as well as to the richest of the rich. Notice the angel's report: "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11, emphasis added)

    He came for all of us who are defiled and unclean. On that extraordinary night in Bethlehem, the world was transformed. Christ's love strips away the boundaries of class, race, economic status, and every other man-made category that divides us. There isn't one person for whom the gift of Christmas is not meant!