Advent Trail December 19th - Luke 2:6-7

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. (Luke 2:6-7)

In these two verses, written in a matter-of-fact way, Luke relates this tremendous event. The simplicity of the narrative is in stark contrast to its immense significance. For, as Mary knew, this baby boy was no less than “the Son of the Most High God” (Luke 1:32). As the carol puts it, “Lo, within a manger lies he who built the starry skies”.

Yet when he came into this world, there was “no room” for him. Because of the census, no accommodation was available apart from a shed where animals were kept. Such a poor and humble start to any human life is rather shocking, but even if he’d been born in a palace the humiliation of his incarnation would have been no less – “being in very nature God... he made himself nothing” (Phil.2:6-7).

The humility of his birth foreshadows the further humiliation of his death. From start to finish of his life on earth, “though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor.8:9). Similarly, there being “no room” for him at Bethlehem is symbolic of the world not welcoming the good news he brought (John 1:10-11). Yet for those who will humble himself to receive him, the riches of his grace are given. “Where meek souls will receive Him, still the dear Christ enters in”.