Sermon: The Birth of Christ by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: December 23, 2018
Key Scripture Passages:
Sermon:
Introduction
I have had three children, and those last couple of months right before the birth of each child were filled with anticipation. Who would my baby look most like? What would the birth be like? What kind of personality would my child have? What would my baby be like? The anticipation (and for some, the anxiety) builds the nearer an event takes place. This time of Advent is full of anticipation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Two days before Christmas, what are you anticipating? For me, it is just that time when I can be home with my family and relax, enjoying time together. For my kids, it is opening their gifts. For my husband, it is seeing the reactions on our boys’ faces when they open their gifts. This time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is my absolute favorite time of year.
Historical Context – Luke 2:1-3
If we look at the Gospel of Luke, Luke spends all 80 verses in chapter 1 and the first 6 verses of chapter 2 building the anticipation by describing the events leading up to the birth of Christ. Eighty-six verses all leading to when the baby Jesus finally makes His appearance into this world. However, Luke has his reasons for spending more time on those events leading up to the birth. He expounds on it more than any other Gospel. Matthew uses 24 verses. John spends a few verses talking about the Word of God becoming flesh, but he does not directly address the birth of Christ or the events leading up to it. And Mark jumps straight into the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus, skipping over the verses of both. So, why does Luke spend so much time with it?
It is more than just a storytelling technique to build anticipation, giving the audience a taste of the anticipation that the Jews felt. It was also to set historical context. This is a real story set in a real time in a real place with real people. Let’s read Luke 2:1-3 (ESV).
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
First, Luke mentions Caesar Augustus, the grandnephew of Julius Caesar. His given name is Caius Octavius Caepias. Later, he was called Augustus by the Roman Senate. And though he never claimed the title Caesar, rex, or dictator, Augustus was the first Roman emperor. He ruled from about 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. His rule brought organization, order, stability, and peace to the Roman empire, known as Pax Romana or “Roman peace”, which lasted about 250 years.
Second, Luke mentions Quirinius. From other sources, we know that he was the governor of Syria from 6 AD-12 AD, and he is known for a rather infamous census that took place in 6 AD. Therefore, this would seem an inaccuracy, since, according to Matthew and other sources, Jesus was born about 4 BC. However, Luke is known for his incredibly accurate historical details throughout his writings, so it is unlikely that this is a mistake. And the census that Quirinius is known for is not the census that took place at the time of Jesus’s birth.
What we do know is that Augustus ordered a census to be taken about every 12-14 years, and that they each took a couple years to complete throughout the whole empire. We know that there was a census in 8 B.C., and it is thought that it is the 8 BC census that led Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem. This fits in with Jesus being born about 4 BC, before the end of the reign of Herod the Great. But how does the governing of Syria by Quirinus fit?
We know that Quirinius held several proconsul and government positions throughout his political career. In 8 BC, when the census was ordered, Quirinius was serving as a military governor in Cilicia, the province next to Syria. Given the broad powers of the Roman governors, it is possible that he also had control of Syria. This would be before his official governorship from 6-12 AD. Also, there is thought that it should be translated the “census before Quirinius” rather than it being at the same time. Either way, Quirinius was mentioned, because the Jews and Romans alike would have been familiar with Quirinus. He was a well-known historical figure to both groups, and he did have key political roles during that time.
Line of David – Luke 2:4-5
Luke also delves into historical context again in Luke 2:4-5 by reaffirming that Jesus came from the lineage of David. In Luke chapter 1, Luke firmly establishes the lineage of Jesus through King David. Yet, we see it emphasized here again in verses 4-5. Verse 4 states, “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.” Joseph was a descendent of David. This is also the reason for even mentioning the census in verses 1-3. It provided the way for Joseph and Mary to be in Bethlehem just at the right time for her to give birth to Jesus. And it gave a reason why Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem, his ancestral hometown. God’s hand is seen guiding all of this, as it fulfills the Old Testament prophecy in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
The Birth of Christ – Luke 2:6-7
Joseph and Mary were already married when they traveled to Bethlehem. However, the reason that the passage says they were merely betrothed, or what we think of as engaged, is because they had not yet consummated the marriage. Joseph showed respect to God and did not allow for any confusion regarding proper parentage here.
Due to Mary’s condition in the third trimester of her pregnancy, their travel would have been slow-going. It was an 80-mile journey and would have taken them several days to get there. Therefore, it makes sense why they had trouble finding a place to stay once they go there.
Archaeologists have found stone mangers, often used for horses and other livestock. The ones at Megiddo were made of limestone and measured about 3 ft long, 18 inches wide, and 2 feet deep. Other mangers from the time were made out of masonry. Lower levels of homes or nearby caves were used as stables, and it is thought that Jesus was born in a cave stable and placed in a stone manger. It was also common at that time to wrap the babies in strips of cloth to protect their limbs.
Here after all of the anticipation and waiting, Jesus is finally born. Verse 7 states, “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.”
Final Thoughts
The Jews anticipated the birth of Christ, the actual birth, for hundreds of years. Their priests told them about it. Their prophets constantly reminded (or warned) them about it. Some hoped it would be in their lifetime, but for most, they died still waiting for the Messiah to come. And when Jesus did come, He did so in the most unexpected way possible. Instead of a conquering king, Jesus came as an innocent, vulnerable baby.
Each year, we have a sense of that anticipation in the days leading up to Christmas Day, when we celebrate with family and friends the birth of Jesus Christ. However, we also live in anticipation of the real coming of Christ, just like the Jews did before Christ’s birth. We have been promised, and we know that Jesus Christ will return to us again one day. The Old Testament prophesied Jesus’s coming to earth to be born, to live, and to die as a man. However, the New Testament prophesies His 2nd coming. We live with the same questions. What will happen when Jesus comes again? What will He look like? What will He be like? But unlike the Jews, we do not have to wait until His coming to get to know Him. We can get to know Jesus through the Bible, the spiritual disciplines, and so on. Jesus is Emmanuel, “God who is with us.” He is always with us, and we should be with Him.
I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
Further Suggested Study:
Date: December 23, 2018
Key Scripture Passages:
- Luke 2:1-7
Sermon:
Introduction
I have had three children, and those last couple of months right before the birth of each child were filled with anticipation. Who would my baby look most like? What would the birth be like? What kind of personality would my child have? What would my baby be like? The anticipation (and for some, the anxiety) builds the nearer an event takes place. This time of Advent is full of anticipation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Two days before Christmas, what are you anticipating? For me, it is just that time when I can be home with my family and relax, enjoying time together. For my kids, it is opening their gifts. For my husband, it is seeing the reactions on our boys’ faces when they open their gifts. This time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is my absolute favorite time of year.
Historical Context – Luke 2:1-3
If we look at the Gospel of Luke, Luke spends all 80 verses in chapter 1 and the first 6 verses of chapter 2 building the anticipation by describing the events leading up to the birth of Christ. Eighty-six verses all leading to when the baby Jesus finally makes His appearance into this world. However, Luke has his reasons for spending more time on those events leading up to the birth. He expounds on it more than any other Gospel. Matthew uses 24 verses. John spends a few verses talking about the Word of God becoming flesh, but he does not directly address the birth of Christ or the events leading up to it. And Mark jumps straight into the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus, skipping over the verses of both. So, why does Luke spend so much time with it?
It is more than just a storytelling technique to build anticipation, giving the audience a taste of the anticipation that the Jews felt. It was also to set historical context. This is a real story set in a real time in a real place with real people. Let’s read Luke 2:1-3 (ESV).
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.
First, Luke mentions Caesar Augustus, the grandnephew of Julius Caesar. His given name is Caius Octavius Caepias. Later, he was called Augustus by the Roman Senate. And though he never claimed the title Caesar, rex, or dictator, Augustus was the first Roman emperor. He ruled from about 27 B.C. to 14 A.D. His rule brought organization, order, stability, and peace to the Roman empire, known as Pax Romana or “Roman peace”, which lasted about 250 years.
Second, Luke mentions Quirinius. From other sources, we know that he was the governor of Syria from 6 AD-12 AD, and he is known for a rather infamous census that took place in 6 AD. Therefore, this would seem an inaccuracy, since, according to Matthew and other sources, Jesus was born about 4 BC. However, Luke is known for his incredibly accurate historical details throughout his writings, so it is unlikely that this is a mistake. And the census that Quirinius is known for is not the census that took place at the time of Jesus’s birth.
What we do know is that Augustus ordered a census to be taken about every 12-14 years, and that they each took a couple years to complete throughout the whole empire. We know that there was a census in 8 B.C., and it is thought that it is the 8 BC census that led Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem. This fits in with Jesus being born about 4 BC, before the end of the reign of Herod the Great. But how does the governing of Syria by Quirinus fit?
We know that Quirinius held several proconsul and government positions throughout his political career. In 8 BC, when the census was ordered, Quirinius was serving as a military governor in Cilicia, the province next to Syria. Given the broad powers of the Roman governors, it is possible that he also had control of Syria. This would be before his official governorship from 6-12 AD. Also, there is thought that it should be translated the “census before Quirinius” rather than it being at the same time. Either way, Quirinius was mentioned, because the Jews and Romans alike would have been familiar with Quirinus. He was a well-known historical figure to both groups, and he did have key political roles during that time.
Line of David – Luke 2:4-5
Luke also delves into historical context again in Luke 2:4-5 by reaffirming that Jesus came from the lineage of David. In Luke chapter 1, Luke firmly establishes the lineage of Jesus through King David. Yet, we see it emphasized here again in verses 4-5. Verse 4 states, “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.” Joseph was a descendent of David. This is also the reason for even mentioning the census in verses 1-3. It provided the way for Joseph and Mary to be in Bethlehem just at the right time for her to give birth to Jesus. And it gave a reason why Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem, his ancestral hometown. God’s hand is seen guiding all of this, as it fulfills the Old Testament prophecy in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
The Birth of Christ – Luke 2:6-7
Joseph and Mary were already married when they traveled to Bethlehem. However, the reason that the passage says they were merely betrothed, or what we think of as engaged, is because they had not yet consummated the marriage. Joseph showed respect to God and did not allow for any confusion regarding proper parentage here.
Due to Mary’s condition in the third trimester of her pregnancy, their travel would have been slow-going. It was an 80-mile journey and would have taken them several days to get there. Therefore, it makes sense why they had trouble finding a place to stay once they go there.
Archaeologists have found stone mangers, often used for horses and other livestock. The ones at Megiddo were made of limestone and measured about 3 ft long, 18 inches wide, and 2 feet deep. Other mangers from the time were made out of masonry. Lower levels of homes or nearby caves were used as stables, and it is thought that Jesus was born in a cave stable and placed in a stone manger. It was also common at that time to wrap the babies in strips of cloth to protect their limbs.
Here after all of the anticipation and waiting, Jesus is finally born. Verse 7 states, “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.”
Final Thoughts
The Jews anticipated the birth of Christ, the actual birth, for hundreds of years. Their priests told them about it. Their prophets constantly reminded (or warned) them about it. Some hoped it would be in their lifetime, but for most, they died still waiting for the Messiah to come. And when Jesus did come, He did so in the most unexpected way possible. Instead of a conquering king, Jesus came as an innocent, vulnerable baby.
Each year, we have a sense of that anticipation in the days leading up to Christmas Day, when we celebrate with family and friends the birth of Jesus Christ. However, we also live in anticipation of the real coming of Christ, just like the Jews did before Christ’s birth. We have been promised, and we know that Jesus Christ will return to us again one day. The Old Testament prophesied Jesus’s coming to earth to be born, to live, and to die as a man. However, the New Testament prophesies His 2nd coming. We live with the same questions. What will happen when Jesus comes again? What will He look like? What will He be like? But unlike the Jews, we do not have to wait until His coming to get to know Him. We can get to know Jesus through the Bible, the spiritual disciplines, and so on. Jesus is Emmanuel, “God who is with us.” He is always with us, and we should be with Him.
I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.
Further Suggested Study:
- Luke 2
- Micah 5
- The Book of Isaiah
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