Luke 2: 1-20
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the World should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, each to his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David); to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and placed Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the Angel said unto them, Fear not! for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward Men.
And it came to pass as the Angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the Babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
This is the most-repeated Christmas story, in full. It gives the most detailed account of the Birth, probably from His mother's point of view, written by Doctor Luke, who researched everything thoroughly (1:1-4).
Luke presents the story of Jesus as the Perfect Man (as compared with Matthew who presents Him as the King, Mark who gives us the Servant, and John, writing last, shows Jesus to be our Lord God Himself in human form).
So Luke gives us Jesus' genealogy through His mother Mary, who descended from King David through Solomon's brother Nathan, and all the way back to the first human, Adam.
This compares with Matthew's record of His genealogy through His legal father, Joseph, who is in the direct Regal line of David through Solomon and the other Kings of Judah. Joseph was not eligible to take the throne because the last sitting king of Judah, Jehoiachin, the son of Jehoiakim, and his father were so evil and rebellious that they were cursed in that none of his "seed" would ever again be able to claim the throne (Jeremiah 22:30).
But, as His legal but not biological father, Joseph does give Jesus the right to claim the throne of David.
As Lord God Jesus is the eternal Person Who can pay our eternal debt in time, that would take us forever to pay. And as genuine Man He qualifies to die a human death in the place of each one of us. That's why He is the only One Who can be our Savior.
Each one of us is born to live. Jesus was born to die. He loves you and me that much!
Merry Christmas!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
