Text:Luke 1, 2

Today we pick up the second part of Christ, the Babe. Last week we discussed the importance of the virgin birth. It fulfilled prophecy, showed mankind Jesus was much more than man, and gave us the perfect example of humility. Today’s question is, “Why a stable?”

Let us look at prophecy around the specifics of the birth of Christ. First, Micah 5:1-3 gives us important information concerning the place of the birth. Now Mary and Joseph do not live in Bethlehem but God had a plan. The census forces Mary and Joseph to head to Bethlehem where the Jesus Christ would be born in fulfillment of prophecy. This is also humbling because Bethlehem is not a prestigious city. On top of that, Jesus is born in a stable because of the rush of people to the city.

Second, the prophecy is that the Messiah would be born of the line of David, II Sam. 7:12, 13. Now just to show how amazing God is and how clear He is, both Joseph and Mary go back to the line of David, Matt. 1; Luke 3. Not only was Joseph of the line of David, Mary was as well which stands to reason. If Jesus was to be born of the line of David and yet not born of Joseph physically, Mary has to go back to David as well. God, being God, made it all happen according to prophecy because God does not lie.

Lastly, the Son of God was to called out of Egypt, Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2:14, 15. Again, a very interesting prophecy that God once again made happen in true form. Herod puts out a decree to kill all male children under two. Being warned by God, Joseph, Mary and Jesus had already left and headed to Egypt. Once it was safe to return, God calls them out of Egypt just as scripture foretold.

God does this all once again to show ultimate humility as an example for His children, Phil. 2. Christ also gives us the perfect example of a servant, Mark 10:45. Christ was not born in a palace as a king should be. However, no other king was ever born this way. Christ came though to serve and not be served. The King of Kings gave us an example, will we follow?