Luke 2:6-10
Luke 2:6 (KJB)
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she
should be delivered.
While they were in Bethlehem, Mary had now given birth to her firstborn son,
Jesus. It must have been a harrowing time for them to try and find a room where
Mary could have the baby or even to find someone to assist in delivering the
baby. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, which would have been a minimum of
four days travel, may have assisted in bringing on the birth. The roads were
dusty and strewn with rocks and other hazards which they no doubt had faced. But
now she has accomplished the nine months and the Lord Jesus Christ was now born
to her.
Luke 2:7 (KJB)
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Since this was the time of the taxation, the rooms in the inns were all filled
and there was no place for them to stay except in a stable. No one but Joseph
and Mary were present to witness this great event. Joseph had to be a midwife to
his own wife. Once she had given birth she had wrapped Him in swaddling clothes
and laid Him in a manger. A manger was a feeding trough for the animals.
(John 6:35 KJV) And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh
to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Isn’t it amazing that the baby in the feeding trough would also be the one who
feeds all those who became saved in Him? It is very important that the Scripture
uses the word “firstborn” because it tells us that Mary had other children and
rebuffs the idea of the Roman Catholic teaching that Mary was a perpetual
virgin.
Luke 2:8 (KJB)
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their flock by night.
Now the fact that there were shepherds still abiding in the field gives us an
indication that this was not the end of December. This would have been late
summer or early fall because it does get cold in December in Israel. Bethlehem
was located in the hill country where there would have been some good grazing
land. The shepherds stayed with the flocks both day and night to protect them
from thieves and wild animals. They were basically nomads living in the open
fields.
Luke 2:9 (KJB)
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Then all of a sudden the darkness was now interrupted by a glowing angel sent to
them. It is not written who this angel was but maybe it was Gabriel since he was
involved since the beginning. The glory of the Lord would have brightened that
field up greatly. If they were drowsy or sleeping, they would have been
startled. They were greatly afraid because they had not experienced anything
like this before and nothing could have prepared them for this.
Luke 2:10 (KJB)
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of
great joy, which shall be to all people.
Then the angel speaks to the shepherds and commands them not to fear. If they
would have been in tremendous fear, they may not have been able to comprehend
the message that the angel brought to them. This is why the angel wanted them as
calm as they could possibly be. The angel then proceeds to tell them that they
are being brought good tidings of great joy. It would not only be great news for
the shepherds, but for all the people. Now it will not be great news for every
single person in the world just for those who will become saved through Christ.
It will not be good news for the Pharisees and scribes, for Herod, or other who
will oppose the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 3:22 KJV) Even the righteousness of
God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:
for there is no difference: The all people in the Luke verse will be those
who will believe, both then and now.