The Birth of Jesus Christ | Morning Routine Daily Devotional for December 25

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when…

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.Luke 2:1-7 ESV

Today’s passage contains Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus. Israel was under Roman rule and a census went out to “all the world”—the whole of the Roman Empire. To be counted, Joseph and his betrothed, Mary, traveled to Bethlehem since Joseph â€œwas of the house and lineage of David,” as Luke says. This is an important detail for Luke who wants his readers to see that Jesus is the promised descendant of David who will reign forever on David’s throne. (That’s really what we mean by calling Jesus the Christ or the Messiah!)

While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, Jesus is born. What is striking are the humble circumstances of His birth: born in a ‘manger’, not their first choice of accommodation! As Luke goes on, we learn that the first visitors to the newborn King are not royalty. Rather, they are simple shepherds. And remember the message the angel had told these shepherds: “Today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ (or Messiah), the Lord!” 

From all of us at the Herzog Foundation, Merry Christmas to you and yours. A Savior has been born for you, for your family, for your students, and, indeed, for the whole world. And this King—the King of Kings—came into the world as a humble baby, born in the most extraordinarily humble circumstances. May we, as His followers, walk in humble adoration of Jesus!Â