Taylor: 'Celebrate what God did on that holy night in Bethlehem'

"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 room for them in the inn." – Luke 2:6-7

What is the significance of the time and circumstances of the birth of Jesus? Why wasn't he born in a mansion or palace? Why wasn't the Son of God born in a place that was at least more prominent and sanitary than a pen for livestock? I want to share the following excerpt from a sermon written by Martin Luther with you, for I believe it brings us some insight into this matter:

"Behold how very ordinary and common things are to us that transpire on earth, and yet how high they are regarded in heaven.

Here is a poor young woman, Mary of Nazareth, not highly esteemed, but of the humblest citizens of the village. No one is conscious of the great wonder she bears, she is silent, keeps her own counsel, and regards herself as the lowliest in the town. She starts out with her husband Joseph; very likely they had no servant, and he had to do the work of master and servant, and she that of mistress and maid. They were therefore obliged to leave their home unoccupied, or commend it to the care of others.

There were, no doubt, many wives and daughters of prominent men at that time, who lived in fine apartments and great splendor, while the mother of God takes a journey in mid-winter under most trying circumstances. What distinctions there are in the world! It was more than a day's journey from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in the land of Judea. They had to journey either by or through Jerusalem, for Bethlehem is south of Jerusalem while Nazareth is north.

And the Evangelist shows how, when they arrived at Bethlehem, they were the most insignificant and despised, so that they had to make way for others until they were obliged to take refuge in a stable, to share with the cattle, lodging, table, bedchamber and bed, while many a wicked man sat at the head in the hotels and was honored as lord. No one noticed or was conscious of what God was doing in that stable. He lets the large houses and costly apartments remain empty, lets their inhabitants eat, drink and be merry; but this comfort and treasure are hidden from them. Oh what a dark night this was for Bethlehem, that was not conscious of that glorious light! See how God shows that he utterly disregards what the world is, has or desires; and furthermore, that the world shows how little it knows or notices what God is, has and does."

That night was about humility, and much of the surrounding world was blind to it. The secular world, both then and now, would most likely expect the savior of the world to be born in prominence and great glory, for in the world, the virtue of humility can so often be a foreign concept. But those who know Christ as their Lord and Savior, and who are compelled by the Holy Spirit to live humble lives of service, would expect nothing else from the Almighty. Christ's humble birth in Bethlehem foreshadows his proclamations about the prominence of humility in the Kingdom of God in the Beatitudes (Matthew ch.5), as well as the works of humility and service throughout Jesus' life on earth as a human. Christ's humble birth reveals to humanity how humility and sacrificial love, rather than glory, wealth, status or power are God's greatest intentions for our lives, and are fruit worked in our hearts by God's Spirit – fruit highly regarded in heaven, and fruit of eternal value!

So may this Godly virtue of humility, displayed so wonderfully in the birth of Jesus our Savior, be a fruit of your faith as we prepare to celebrate what God did on that holy night in Bethlehem.