The Birth of Jesus: A Story of Hope

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” —Luke 2:7

After being turned away from the inn in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloths for comfort. It was a truly humble birth, and it may not have seemed ideal at the time, but God had a purpose for it all. He had brought his son, the King of Kings, into the world in a way that was unexpected and set apart.

The greatest stories start with small beginnings.

Nearby, shepherds watched their flock out in a field. An angel appeared to them, giving the first announcement of Jesus’ birth not to kings, but to shepherds. “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people,” he said. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

Jesus was a different kind of king, one that was truly for all people.

The shepherds likely wondered where this Savior would be born. In a palace, or the best room at the inn, perhaps? The angel answered this question before they could ask it. “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). The shepherds praised God.

God uses ordinary people to tell the most extraordinary stories of his goodness.

They visited Jesus in Bethlehem, telling Mary and Joseph everything the angel had told them. When they left, they continued to praise and glorify God, as they had heard the angel’s words and seen their Savior in the flesh. After eight days, Mary’s son was named “Jesus,” the name the angel Gabriel spoke of when he first appeared to her. God’s promise had been fulfilled.

Through Jesus, we have been given hope for life abundant and life eternal. Celebrate the greatest story ever told this Christmas at HPUMC, and look out for the full story next week.