The Birth of Jesus

Joseph and Mary were on their way to Bethlehem, for the census. But when they got there the city was crowded and they had great trouble finding a place to stay. Finally settling in a stable, Mary gave birth to Jesus, and just as Jesus came to this Earth, God’s messengers proclaimed His glory and mission to the shepherds in a nearby field. At once they hurried to find the Messiah and gazed upon him. Eight days later God fulfilled His promise to Simeon, as Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to present the baby Jesus to God.

In yesterday’s episode, we heard about John the Baptist who came before Jesus to announce a new age of liberation. We heard how both Elizabeth and Mary received news of an unlikely and astonishing pregnancy. These righteous women submitted to God’s will and served Him in a powerful way as mothers to babies who would grow into men that changed the course of history. Today we’ll hear of the birth of the long-awaited Messiah. His coming was not like anyone expected. It wasn’t with the fanfare of a conquering king, rather it was in a humble stable, his welcoming party thrown by dirty shepherds, the outcasts of society.