With The Word

           Probably no other story is as familiar as that of the first Christmas. The only problem is that as we view the Christmas narrative, we view it through the eyes of our culture instead of the culture in which it occurred. An understanding of New Testament times give us a great deal of insight into that first Christmas. Notice with me the following passages from Luke 2, and let's look at them through the eyes of the people who were there...

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3.  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

This is one of the primary indicators of the time of the birth of Christ. According to historical records uncovered by archaeologists, the beginning of Cyrenius reign of governor was 6 BC. When we also realize that Herod died in about April of 4 BC, that places the birth of Christ at the very end of 5 BC or very beginning of 4 BC.

            The taxing that is referred to here was actually the enrollment for taxation. It is for that reason that a person had to go to "his own city". Family records were kept in the cities where someone was born and this would allow for easier enrollment for the taxation. It also provided a perfect opportunity for the "pulling together" of records that would later be used in the Gospel narratives of Matthew and Luke to show that Christ was the rightful heir to the throne of David, and thus the rightful King of the Jews. Remember, that Bethlehem is even called the city of David in this passage in Luke.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5.  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

            Probably no person has been so maligned in Christmas plays as the inn-keeper. How could he have not made room for Mary in the Inn, but instead put her in a stable? How many messages have been preached on not making room for Jesus? But a study of the culture of that day reveals an entirely different picture. First, in Jewish society it was impolite to turn any traveler away. The fact that the Inn-keeper found room for them in the stable was an indication, not of indifference, but of concern for them. Even though the inn was full, and he could have turned them away, he made a place for them in the stable.

            A New Testament Inn was usually a four-sided building with a huge courtyard in the center. The courtyard was used for camels, donkeys or livestock while the "walls" were used for the lodging of people. An inn-keeper could not charge people for "room", but he could charge them for any food or other comfort items that he provided for them or their animals. Usually, an inn was a loud place with no privacy. Sinful behavior was commonplace, and this made the inn a very inhospitable place for a woman with child.

            In God's providence, He instead had the couple lodge in a stable-cave. Here was privacy and protection from the elements, but the symbolism cannot be ignored either. The Lamb of God was born in a stable used to hold sheep. As the Water of Life, He was laid in a manger (which in New Testament times was a large stone with a hollowed out section used to hold water not food). As the Bread of Life, He was born in Bethlehem, which literally means "the House of Bread".

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9.  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. 10.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

             Even more of the Gospel narrative comes to life when we look at those "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night". These were not ordinary sheep, nor were they ordinary shepherds. In the Shepherd Fields of Bethlehem, the sheep destined for use in the Passover were kept. Usually sheep were kept in either a stable or a fold at night for their protection. These sheep could not be kept that way for it was the Law that the Passover lambs be without spot and without blemish. Penning up the animals would guarantee that none would meet this requirement, as the sheep would bruise in close quarters. So these special sheep, destined for sacrifice were kept in the field.

             The shepherds were the priest-shepherds whose job it was to insure the safety of the sheep. They did this by standing atop the Migdal Eder (Hebrew for "the Tower of the Flock"). From here they could see the entire field and protect the sheep in their charge. On that night, as they watched the sheep destined for Passover, an angel appeared and announced the birth of the Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world! And what would be easier for them to find than a stable that was normally used for sheep? As shepherds they would know every stable-cave in the area and finding Christ would have been very easy for them. In addition, being the shepherds employed by the priesthood, they would go to the Temple and proclaim what they saw. It was probably this that alerted Simeon that his long-awaited prayer to see the Messiah was about to be answered (verses 25-35). PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GRACE AND PROVIDENCE!