While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. —Luke 2:6-7.
Despite Jesus’ miraculous conception in Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord entered our world in the most common of ways. The time came to be born, his mother went into labor, she gave birth to her child, the child was welcomed and wrapped in soft cloths, and placed in a crib. Jesus’ birth wasn’t just “normal”; it was common, even below average conditions for his birth. When the Son of God was born, he wasn’t placed in a crib. Instead, he was placed in a manger where animals ate. His room was in a house, but a stable. No one made room for him in an inn or a house. Neither of his parents’ families opened their homes or hearts to him, even though Bethlehem was also their likely destination for the census. The holy God who created everything enters our world as baby Jesus to share our way of life as one of us in such low circumstances. Why? He loves us and wants us to know we can come home to him no matter our circumstances. Incredible… incredible story… incredible birth… incredible love… because of our incredible God!