Reading 41
Born in a feeding trough
The reading
Luke 2:1-20
Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
The companions
Psalm 96:1-6
Sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD! Bless his name! Proclaim his salvation from day to day! Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised! He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Isaiah 9:2-7 (selected)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined. For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will perform this.
The note
An emperor wants a count. Two people travel because the count says so, and the child arrives while they are far from home, in the wrong place, at nobody’s convenience. Luke leaves the paperwork in the story. He wants you to see this happening inside an ordinary administrative year.
Then the announcement. It does not go to Augustus, or to Quirinius, or to anyone in Jerusalem. It goes to men working nights in a field, and they are terrified.
Nothing in the scene reads as important from the outside. Walk past it and you see a poor family and a newborn in a place nobody would choose. That is the part worth keeping. God did not arrive where notice would be taken. He arrived low, and the news went to the people who happened to be awake.
This week
Find out who is awake while you are not. The person who cleans your office before six, the on-call engineer, the night nurse, the driver. Name one of them this week and actually speak to them — not a nod, a real exchange. Ask what the hours are like. Then notice whether you had ever wondered before. The announcement went to the night shift first. Start by knowing who yours are.
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (public domain). The divine name is rendered “the LORD” in the companions.
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