The Last Sacrificial Lamb Is Born In Bethlehem

by Chuck Ness

When you think of the first story of Christmas, it's usually about Mary and Joseph looking down at their new born son in a manger, surrounded by barn animals and maybe a shepherd or two looking on. Angels singing praises of joy to the Lord Most High, and maybe even the star that is guiding the wise men from Babylon to the destination of the Jews Messiah.

We live at a time when children are born in sanitized hospital rooms with the best of care, before and after the mother gives birth. When we hear of stories of women giving birth at home, or alongside the road where the car had to pull over because the child would not wait, we are captivated and amazed of such a thing happening in today's world.

Yet, for the vast majority of man's history, women have given birth in conditions we would not expect our pet animals give birth in. So when you consider what Mary had to endure in her last week leading up the birth of her first child, I want you to consider the following. Then maybe, just maybe, you will look at the story of Christmas a bit differently than you have in the past.

When you consider that Luke was a Doctor, it kind of makes sense that his version of the Gospel is the only one that tells the story of the birth of Christ. It makes even more sense when you consider that Luke was not just a good friend and traveling companion, but he was also the Apostle Paul's Doctor. Another point of consideration is that, in Paul's letter to the Galatians he wrote that he did not receive the Gospel from man, but from Christ Himself. So who better to know the events leading up to the birth of Jesus, than the man He shared it with.

“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ." Galatians 1:11-12

I ask that you allow yourself to truly see what it must have been like for a 16 year old pregnant wife and her husband in the week leading up to the birth of their first child. They were two humans with thoughts, feelings, and faith in their God who promised them their child would be special. Here are some of the particulars involved that they had to face.

Joseph learned that Rome had ordered a census be taken. Since Joseph was from the Tribe of Judah, he had a week to take his family to his ancestral home to register and be counted.

Living in Nazareth meant that Joseph would be forced to take his 9 Month pregnant bride 80 miles to Bethlehem. Now Nazareth is in Galilee which is in the Northern part of Israel. While Bethlehem, is in the Southern part of Israel in the region of Judea.

This trip would take them through a hilly country. Depending on the route they take, they would either go by, or through, the city of Jerusalem. The last leg of their journey would be the worst. Approaching Jerusalem they would be faced with some winding mountain roads while climbing some 1,312 feet in elevation to reach their destination, King David's childhood home of Bethlehem.

Mind you, there were no cars, buses, or planes to get to their destination within a few hours. No, just a donkey for Mary to ride, while Joseph would walk along side her. On a straight path without any hills to climb and no pregnant woman to slow things down, it would take a healthy young almost a week to reach his destination by walking.

Many women have had miscarriages due to such hardships through the years. Many women have even died giving birth in such conditions. Consider that Jacob's beloved Rachel had died giving birth to Benjamin on such a similar journey that was ¼ of the distance. The place Jacob was taking his family to, was Ephrath. Which would be renamed Bethlehem one day. Yes, the very same town that Mary and Joseph must head to. (Genesis 35:16-20)

It would take everything they could muster, along with Gods guidance and protection to make this trip safely. After a few nights of sleeping on the ground and then riding the donkey all day long, I can imagine Mary's thoughts were about the a warm room with a soft bed. It would be the only thing that could keep her mind from thinking about the pain and misery she was she felt throughout her whole body.

Imagine her disappointment when she learned there was no room at the Inn, and Joseph informed her they would have to make due in the stable with the animals.

If there was ever a time when one would have to put their whole faith in the Lord to help them through, this would be the time. Soon her joy of seeing her son, would remove the all the pain and misery she felt from the long trip, as Joseph and Mary would huddle together in the cave with their baby Jesus.

There would be a noticeable stir in the world. As if the world itself had actually changed. The angels of God would be singing. Shepherds would be visiting and taking about the way they learned of this child. There is love, peace, and joy in the world this day.

Joseph rejoiced and praised God that his wife and child have survived the ordeal. He may or may not have known that the fields surrounding Bethlehem was where the sheep for the Temple grazed, and the stables were filled with the lambs to be sacrificed. However, there was no way he could known that his Son would one day be the last Sacrificial Lamb accepted by God.

In 33 years, Mary's pain will return her thoughts back to this night, as she looks up to her son hanging on the cross for the sins of the world. However, that is another story. One that we all now know was put in motion with the first Christmas story, and ultimately begun before time began. For now I offer you all a very Merry Christmas