City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to 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, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-7 (ESV)

Commentary

In describing the birth of Jesus, Luke is painting a picture. It’s a picture that conforms to reality but carries a message. Like a great novel’s first scene, it is layered with symbolism and metaphor to establish the theme of the story that will follow. Luke is merely describing it though, for it is God who orchestrated it, and he did so so we would not miss the message:

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7.

Jesus was Mary’s firstborn. Under Jewish law, the firstborn male was consecrated to God and held priestly duties (Exodus 13:1-2; Numbers 3:11-13). The firstborn also enjoyed special inheritance rights, receiving a double portion from the father. In the birth of Jesus, God is signaling to His creation that Jesus would be a priest, holy and set apart, and the rightful heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2).

Mary wrapped the baby Jesus in swaddling cloth. These were strips of cloth Mary wrapped around the baby Jesus to keep him warm. Later is his narrative,  Luke would note that after His crucifixion, Jesus was wrapped in linen before He was placed in the tomb. Luke 23:53. John would mention the same linen cloth wrapped and placed neatly in the tomb after Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:5-7). The significance of Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes at birth is unmistakable: Most men are born to live; Jesus was born to die.

Then Mary placed Jesus in a manger. This was not the wooden manger portrayed in modern nativities but likely one made of stone. If you have seen ancient sarcophagi you would immediately notice the similarity. The symbolism would have been obvious to any first century reader of Luke’s account. Even in Jesus’ birth, there is a foreshadowing of His death.

There was no place at the inn. Jesus was not born in a room. A hotel room, bounded by walls, is too small. Jesus was born outside under the stars, where walls do not hide or inhibit. His birth was announced to shepherds in the open, and His birth occurred in the open, because He was one born not for a family, a town, or a nation but for all creation. 

Application

That God takes such care with the details of history to ensure we don’t miss the message says as much about His sentiment as His sovereignty. He cares enough to make sure we understand. The birth of Jesus is a great novel with the added benefit that it is real; not “based on” or “inspired by” true events but real, it-happened-space-and-time history, full of signs so we don’t miss the meaning because to miss the meaning is to miss everything. 

So this Christmas, when you see a nativity with the baby in swaddling clothes in a manger, don’t be so engrossed with the tradition that you miss the message. Jesus was born to die for our sins as the rightful heir to all things. It is the most important story in history, and a hotel room was too small a stage for the first scene of this greatest of plays. 

Prayer

Lord, thank You for orchestrating history in such a way to ensure we understand Your message to us in Your Son. Amen.