You have seen pictures drawn to depict the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. Usually they are calm and cute. But was it calm? Luke writes in Chapter 2: “4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the town of Nazareth, into Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, his wife, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.” How difficult was this journey? They arrived in Bethlehem after traveling for days, about 90 miles, with Mary soon to deliver. Luke goes on: “6 And so it was that while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” No room! The Baby's coming soon! A place in a stable was the best they could do. The Baby was born and draws his first breath in this rough setting, and is wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Shepherds came to see the baby. They came from the fields after hearing the wonderful news from an angel God had sent. The angel had announced: “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all people: 11 Today in the town of David, a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Yes, the baby was Christ the Lord, true God, and was the promised Savior!
The pictures we see of Jesus birth often show the scene by the light of oil lamps. Some show a shadow falling across the manger. There was a shadow which fell across Jesus' whole life. It was not a bad shadow but a good one. It was the shadow of Good Friday, the Shadow of the Cross. It was the purpose of his coming, to die for our sins on the cross. His whole life, he knew it was there; it gave him joy. So when he preached, he taught about who He was and what He would do for us. His miracles showed He is God. He taught the people, telling them not to fall away, but to believe in him and trust what he was doing was God's Wonderful Plan for eternity; that he was doing this suffering and dying to save them from their sins.
So remember the whole picture when you see these cute scenes from the manger. Remember the plan for this baby boy, and see the shadow there. It is for you, that you might believe in God who was born to be your Savior and then you would have the glory he won on the cross. See the shadow disappear at the Empty Tomb of Easter as True God emerges alive with the victory won.