We do not know how long Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.  But it was during their stay that God the Son was born in a human body.  Although some traditional nativity accounts merge elements of the Bible account almost into one day, Joseph’s new family may well have stayed in the city for a longer time after Christ’s birth.  When the Magi met Jesus, He was not in a stable but lived in a house (Matthew 2:9-11).  As Herod's angry interrogation of the Magi led him to murder every boy in Bethlehem who was two years old or younger (Matthew 2:13-16), Joseph and Mary could have been nurturing Jesus in the city for some time before hurriedly evacuating to Egypt as refugees (Matthew 2:19-20).

However, Jesus' first days were in the straw of an animal feeding trough.  The narrative is a clear eyewitness account (Luke 1:1-4); one which Mary remembered very well.  His accommodation did no justice to the majesty of the King of kings: but it was prophetic of the purpose of His incarnation.  He had come to be rejected as the lowest of the low, a criminal, crucified on a cross.  Few people who celebrate Christmas ever ask themselves the obvious question, ‘Why should God come, live and die in such a degrading way?’  The Bible's answer is that it was for us!  ‘What was His crime?’ they should ask - He did nothing wrong but chose to be punished instead of us.

Hebrews 2:14-15 says, ‘Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil –and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.’  Galatians 1:3-5 says, ‘…  the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’   So although His birth was not glorious for Him, and it sparked violence from a jealous king, it brought glory to God - because His death would enable us to escape the clutches of sin and death, bringing peace to believers on earth, just as the angels said (Luke 2:14).

Worldly thinking puts the chief executive in the biggest house and the best office.  But although God is supreme, He has no pride of status.  Although He is our creator, He was willing to endure the worst His creation could serve up to Him.  So, nobody can say that God does not care or understand.  He knows what it feels like to suffer.  That is the reality of the incarnation; Jesus who loves you gave up everything to share our pain so that we might share His glory (2 Peter 1:3-4).  Obey the instruction of Hebrews 4:16: ‘Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.’  Whatever your sin or pain, thank Him, praise Him, worship Him; and trust Him with all your heart - because He really does care for you, and your family, friends and colleagues.