Tag: Birth

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, She, Volume 3

Mary, Mother of Jesus, part 4

Posted on by MaryEllen

Adapted from She, delighting in the women of the Bible, volume 3, pp 35-36

Today’s Scripture: Luke 2:1-6, Hebrews 11:6, Philippians 1:6 and Proverbs 16:9

We can make our plans,but the Lord determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9 NLT

God’s Sovereign Plan

Pregnancy in the 21st century is far different than in the days when Mary was pregnant. Although the duration of a normal pregnancy remains nine months, there have been many advancements in modern medicine. Parents not only have the option of ultrasounds that reveal their baby’s gender, but also 3D imaging, which allows them to see what their baby will look like, and anatomy scans, which reveal the baby’s overall health and development. Then there’s the decision of where the baby will be born. In the days of Jesus, I suppose home births would have been the typical option, and while they remain an option, there are also hospitals and spa-like birthing centers to pick from. Along with these choices, there’s the how, including natural, medicated, and C-sections. Then there’s the when option, yes, some doctors allow you to pick the date of your child’s birth, working it around jobs or other life events that you may not want the birth to interfere with. In the days of Joseph and Mary, the option would have simply been a “home birth, which would have meant Galilee, where Joseph lived. However, in God’s sovereign plan, Caesar Augustus issued a decree requiring all to pay taxes. So, because Joseph was from the lineage of David, he and Mary (who was “great with child”) had to return to Bethlehem, the city of David, in order to be taxed. While they were there, Scripture records that “the days were accomplished that she should be delivered, (Luke 2:6). So, just as the prophet had declared, the long-awaited Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah.Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.

Micah 5:2

MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS, ALSO SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE OF

HOW CHRIST WILL GUIDE OUR STEPS TO EXACTLY WHEN AND

WHERE HE DESIRES US TO BE.1

Reflection and Application

How has the Lord directed your steps before?

The More We Know

As with any government count, this census was meant to calculate taxes and military resources. Mary’s soon-to-be husband, Joseph, is a descendant of David, so they go to Bethlehem to participate (Luke 2:1–5).

It would have been unusual for an unmarried couple to travel together, but the circumstances of Mary’s pregnancy are hardly normal (Luke 1:34–35). The family likely realized it would be better for her to be with Joseph when she gave birth. That Mary is in Bethlehem when Jesus is born corresponds to Messianic prophecy (Micah 5:2). (gotquestions.org)

  1. She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, volume 3, p36 ↩︎

Posted in Advent, Advent, Bible study, Christmas, Devotion, From the Insideout, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Rejoice

A Humble Birth

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Scripture: God’s Road Map for Our Journey / Luke 2:1-20; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil 2:5-11

9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

2 Cor. 8:9

Jesus was a king, but He did not come wearing a crown, nor was one placed on His head at birth. Instead, the One who was born to save His people from their sins and rule as King forever was born in a humble setting and laid in a lowly manger. As Paul wrote, Jesus became poor so that we might become rich – everything was just as God had meant it to be.

This is the perfect illustration of the second passage for today’s journey, where Paul wrote about Jesus as “one who was rich but became poor for the sake of believers- so that we through His poverty might become rich.” While these words were written to the Corinthian believers, who needed to be reminded of a commitment that they had made to meet the needs of suffering Christians in Jerusalem, they are a fitting reminder for us that Jesus left the splendor of Heaven for a world of poverty, filled with sin, suffering, and death. – Why would anyone do this? Well, not just anyone would – but Jesus did it in obedience to God – of whom John wrote – “loved the world” so much so “that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16).” We are forever rich because Jesus became poor for us. Ours is a richness not found in the world but in the love, grace, and mercy of God, our Father, who is in Heaven.

“He did this in order to die for the sins of humanity so that all who trust in Him can be forgiven of their sin and one day experience the wealth and security of living in glory with God.” Bibleref.com/2 Cor 8:9

Prayer of Response to the Word

Father, thank You for Your lavish gift of love through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Your Son. Through Him, I have been given the hope of eternity with You, and there is no greater wealth than this! – Amen

The More We Know

Where was Jesus born? Check out these enlightening details here.