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Chapter 4—Born in a Stable
This chapter is based on
Luke 2:1-20
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The King of glory stooped low to take humanity. His glory
veiled, He shunned all outward display. Jesus purposed that no
attraction of an earthly nature should call men to His side. Only the
beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him.
He desired men to accept Him on the testimony of the Word of God.
The angels watched to see how the people of God would receive
His Son, clothed in the garb of humanity. To the land where the
light of prophecy had shone, the angels came. They came unseen to
Jerusalem and the ministers of God’s house.
Already to Zacharias the priest, as he ministered before the altar,
the nearness of Christ’s coming had been announced. Already the
forerunner was born, and tidings of his birth and the significance
of his mission had been spread abroad. Yet Jerusalem was not
preparing to welcome her Redeemer. God had called the Jewish
nation to communicate to the world that Christ was to be born of
David’s line, yet they knew not that His coming was at hand.
In the temple the morning and evening sacrifice pointed to the
Lamb of God, yet even here was no preparation to receive Him.
Priests and teachers rehearsed their meaningless prayers and per-
formed the rites of worship, but were not prepared for the revelation
of the Messiah. The same indifference pervaded the land of Israel.
Hearts selfish and world-engrossed were untouched by the joy that
thrilled all heaven. Only a few were longing to behold the Unseen.
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Angels attended Joseph and Mary as they journeyed from
Nazareth to the city of David. The decree of Rome for enrollment of
the peoples of her vast domain had extended to the hills of Galilee.
Caesar Augustus became God’s agent in bringing the mother of
Jesus to Bethlehem. She was of the lineage of David, and the Son
of David must be born in David’s city. “Out of thee [Bethlehem],”
said the prophet, “shall He come forth ... that is to be ruler in Israel;
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