Joseph, Witnesses the Birth of Jesus
Joseph and Mary journeyed to Bethlehem, where the Savior would be born
Last week, we discussed the angel appearing to Joseph and he was obedient to take Mary as his wife.
We now switch over to the book of Luke for the next part of the story.
Luke 2 says , “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David”
Joseph takes Mary and goes from the city of Nazareth, in Galilee, to the town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem means “house of bread”.
The child was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes
When you think that the body of Jesus is honored with bread in the Lord’s supper how apropos is that?
5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child.
Joseph arrives in Bethlehem with Mary, his betrothed. Mary is great with child.
And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus
Joseph is not mentioned by name again, but we are told he is there. He was there as Mary gave birth to the baby Jesus. Whether he delivered the child himself or encouraged her through labor having found a midwife to deliver the child we are not told. What we do know is he witnesses the birth of the Christ child.
He is there as Mary wraps the child in swaddling clothes and lays him in a manger.
There is no room in the inn for them, but we
The angels appeared singing praises
can imagine how hard Joseph worked to find a room or somewhere comfortable for his wife, who his heavy with child.
The scripture goes on to describe the angels appearance and announcement of the birth of the Christ child. The angels proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.”
The shepherds visit
After the angels leave the shepherds appear.
We know for sure that Joseph is there because Luke 2:16 says that when the shepherds arrive, “And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.”
Can you imagine being there and witnessing the birth of the baby Jesus?
*Pictures from FreeBibleImages.com