A humble beginning

 Luke 2:3–7 (NRSV)

3All went to their own towns to be registered.

4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.
7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Even though Mary was close to the day of giving birth to Jesus, she and Joseph made the 90-mile journey to Bethlehem that probably took 5 to 7 days. They were subject to the laws of the land and when the census was taken, they faithfully made the journey that had to have been a challenge for Mary. God gave them the strength for the journey but when arriving in Bethlehem they found no place available to stay. It would seem that there must have been someone who knew them, but they were treated as unknown, and no one seemed to care that Mary was about to give birth. No compassion was shown to them. The only place available was the stable where the animals were kept. A humble and ignoble place for the Son of God to be born. One would have to wonder what the reaction of the people may have been had Mary and Joseph announced to everyone that she was going to give birth to the Savior of the world. Unbelief and ridicule may have been the response. But they kept silent regarding the identity of Jesus and the mission he would accomplish during his life. The lowly shepherds were the first visitors who were directed by the host of heaven that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. They immediately responded and found the family in the manger. They were the first worshippers of the Messiah a great honor for which they will always be remembered.