Why Jesus Was BornUkážka

The Birth

And she gave birth to her firstborn son. (Luke 2:7)

For anyone who has been a Christian for a while, this story is so familiar. It is the inspiration behind a million crèches and manger scenes and living nativity displays at churches. Despite all the ways we have bathed this in a golden light, it is a humble birth. It is nearly a humiliating way to come into the world. But that was also the point of it all. God’s Son stooped low so as to raise the rest of us high.

We should note, however, how Luke frames this sentinel gospel event. As he will do even more lavishly in Luke 3, Luke carefully notes who was who in the Roman hierarchy of the day. Caesar Augustus was the self-declared “Dominus et Deus” or “Lord and God” of the empire. When Caesar said, “Jump!” the whole world responded, “How high?” Caesar, Quirinius, Herod, Pontius Pilate: these were the powerful elite, the political celebrities of the day.

But Luke notes their names for more than historical accuracy. He was making a theological point. All those world leaders could strut around in all the pomp and circumstance they wanted, but they would never hold a candle to Jesus. Caesar would eventually be silted down to the dustbin of history. But the child in Bethlehem would emerge as the true and eternal King of kings and Lord of lords. Thanks be to God!