Angels & Shepherds (Luke 2)

What does Jesus’ humble birth in a stable rather than a palace tell us about God? What does the announcement to humble shepherds rather than kings tell us about God? Let’s look at Luke 2.

How did Joseph and Mary end up in Bethlehem for Jesus’ birth?

Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for a census to be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was going to be registered for the census, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child. (Luke 2:1-5 LSB)

Where was Jesus born, in a palace or a very humble place?

While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom. (Luke 2:6-7 CEB)

To whom did an angel announce this birth, high society or those from the most humble of professions?

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-12 NIV)

Did the angels carry on with celebrations from pagan origins or praise God?

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14 NKJV)

Did the shepherds carry on with celebrations from pagan origins or praise God?

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. (Luke 2:15-20 NLT)

Was Jesus circumcised and redeemed as a firstborn son? If rich people could offer a bull, average people a sheep or goat, what does Joseph and Mary’s sacrifice tell us about their economic level?

When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2:21-24 WEB Exodus 13:2,12; Leviticus 12:8)

What does Jesus’ humble birth in a stable rather than a palace tell us about God? What does the announcement to humble shepherds rather than kings tell us about God? You decide!