Birth of Jesus
5
Jesus might have remained at the Father’s side, wearing the kingly
crown and the royal robe; but for our sake He chose to exchange the
riches of Heaven for the poverty of earth.
He chose to leave His station of high command, to leave the angels
who loved Him. The adoration of the heavenly throng He chose to
exchange for mockery and abuse by wicked men. From love to us, He
accepted a life of hardship and a death of shame.
All this Christ did to show how much God loves us. He lived on
earth to show how we may honor God by obedience to His will. He
did this so that by following His example we may at last dwell with
Him in His heavenly home.
The priests and rulers among the Jews were not ready to welcome
Jesus. They knew that the Saviour was soon to come, but they expected
Him to be a mighty king who would make them rich and great. They
were too proud to think of the Messiah as being a helpless child.
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So when Christ was born, God did not reveal it to them. He sent
the glad news to some shepherds who kept their flocks on the hills
around Bethlehem.
These were good men, and as they watched their sheep by night,
they talked together about the promised Saviour, and prayed so
earnestly for His coming that God sent bright messengers from His
own throne of light to teach them.
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of
the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will toward men.
“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord
hath made known unto us.