Joseph and Mary could see the town of Bethlehem in the distance. They were almost there—just one more hill to climb. It had been a long weary journey from their home in Nazareth, and Mary, who was pregnant, hoped they would soon find a comfortable place to rest.

The Roman emperor Caesar Augustus had issued a decree. Everyone was to be taxed. Because Joseph belonged to the family of David, he had to go to Bethlehem, the city of David, to have his name registered. When they got there, Joseph and Mary discovered that the inns were full. The only shelter they could find was with the animals in a roughly made barn.

Joseph and Mary didn’t have a lot of money or earthly belongings, but they were rich because they had the love of God. They were children of the heavenly King. As they settled down to sleep, angels watched over them. That night, Jesus was born.

Can you imagine the King of the Universe being born in a barn? Why did He leave behind the riches of heaven? Why did He set aside His kingly crown and royal robes? Why did He choose to accept a life of hardship? Because He loved us.

The priests and rulers among the Jews knew that the Savior was coming soon, but they were too proud to think of the Messiah as a helpless child. They expected Him to come as a mighty king. They thought He would make them rich and powerful.

That’s why God did not reveal the good news to them. Instead, He shared it with some shepherds

who were watching over their flocks on the hills outside Bethlehem.

They had been talking together about the promised Savior and praying for His coming. God answered their prayers and sent angels to tell them about Jesus’ birth.

“An angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and suddenly they became very frightened. The angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, because I am bringing you some good news. It will be a joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is Christ, the Lord. This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a feeding box.’

“Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel. All the angels were praising God saying: ‘Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please God.’

“Then the angels left the shepherds and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened. We will see this thing the Lord told us about.’

“So the shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph. And the shepherds saw the baby lying in a feeding box. Then they told what the angels had said about this child. Everyone was amazed when they heard what the shepherds said to them. Mary hid these things in her heart; she continued to think about them.”

Luke 2:9-19, ICB.