Read Luke 2:1-7

Read Luke 2:1-7

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.

Reflect

Jesus was born in simple and humble circumstances, with no fanfare—at least at first. How does this quiet, unassuming beginning fit with what you know about the rest of Jesus' life? What does it suggest about how God sometimes intervenes in our lives?

Respond

Lord, for the birth of Jesus, we thank you. For humbling yourself and making your home among us, we thank you. For your intervention in our lives, we thank you. For the ways you transform us, both quiet and dramatic, we thank you.