The Night Jesus Was Born

Who should be told about the birth of the Savior? (Luke 2:8-16)

God chose to tell His good news to the lowly. He sent His angels with the message to shepherds, who were watching their sheep in the fields that night.

An angel said, "A Savior, who is Christ the Lord, has been born today in Bethlehem. You will know him by this sign: you will find him wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Then many angels appeared. They praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill to men!”

When the angels had gone away, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem now and see this thing that has happened, that the Lord has made known to us.”

They hurried and found Joseph and Mary in a stable. Their baby was wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger, just like the angel had said.

What did the shepherds do after they left Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus? (Luke 2:17-18)

They began to tell about the child and the things the angels told them. The town was overflowing with people, and everyone who heard was amazed by the things the shepherds told them.

Remember, these people had traveled from various areas to register for the tax. When they went home, they took the news of the Savior’s birth with them. If God wanted to spread the news of His Son’s birth, this was the perfect way to do it.

What did the shepherds do next? They returned to their sheep, and they praised God for all the things they had heard and seen. (Luke 2:20)

The shepherds told the news of the birth of our Savior, But “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

Luke is speaking specifically of the events of the night of the birth of Jesus, but it was probably true of many events.

Mary is the only person who experienced the story of Christ from conception to ascension.

— Mary saw the angel Gabriel and heard his words. Luke 1:26-37

— Because she believed, she experienced the miracle of carrying God’s Son within her womb. Luke 1:31,35,42

— She heard firsthand how John leapt in Elisabeth’s womb and heard Elisabeth’s prophecy. Luke 1:39-45

— She heard firsthand about Joseph’s dream of reassurance. Matthew 1:18-25

— She saw how God brought His plan together for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. Luke 2:1-7

— She heard the shepherds’ story firsthand. Luke 2:8-16

— She heard the words of the Simeon and Anna In the temple. Luke 2:25-38

— She held Jesus and nursed him as an infant.

— She received the gifts the wise men brought for the child. Matthew 2:1-11

— She hurried to Egypt when Joseph was warned by God in a second dream. Matthew 2:13-14

— She heard about Herod killing the children of Bethlehem. Matthew 2:16-18

— She traveled back from Egypt when God revealed to Joseph in a third dream that it was safe to return. Matthew 2:19-23

— She saw Jesus grow from a child to a man. Through these years, she learned the character of God like no other person in history.

— She was there for Jesus’ ministry and heard as word spread about each miracle.

— She stood by the cross during the crucifixion. John 19:25-27

— She rejoiced when she heard about the events at the tomb firsthand from Mary Magdalene, the other women, John and Peter.

— She was one of 500+ people who saw Jesus after the resurrection. Acts 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:6

— She heard firsthand from the disciples about the ascension. Acts 1:6-14

— She was part of the early church. Acts 1:14

Mary took ALL of these events and revelations and pondered them in her heart.