In 43 BC Gaius Octavius was one of the triumvirate – three men set up to rule the world following the assassination of Julius Caesar. By 27 BC the Senate gave him the title of Augustus and effectively handed rule of Rome into his hands. I’m not sure that they had much of a choice. In the years between those two dates, Octavius orchestrated a series of military and political moves that cemented peace in Rome and his status as Savior of Rome. He knew how to grab and wield power and the Empire gratefully worshiped him. For Rome; for the Known World; Augustus was a symbol of strength. And during his reign a baby was born of humble circumstances and changed the world; a baby whose existence on this planet is the center of history – the focal point of all of creation. The account of his birth is painfully ordinary. And that is by design.
The story begins with a decree issued by the ruler of the known world; the Empire of Rome. He wanted all of his subjects to be numbered, most likely so that he can make sure he is getting the right amount of taxes from each province. We are not aware of a census of the whole Roman Empire, but we do know that this was done by province and swept through the whole empire. This census was most likely of the Province of Palestine and took place around 6 BC. And here we have a slight problem. Quirinius was not governor of Syria until 6 AD. This has led to a whole boat load of theories. The one that makes the most sense to me is that the word translated “first” in verse two can also mean “before.” This would give us the translation, “This was the census taken before Quirinius was governor of Syria.” And it makes sense that Luke would designate it like this because the census taken by Quirinius in 6 AD led to a rebellion which is referred to in Acts 5:37. So this census was before that notoriously unpopular census. However, we view this, the main point is that the man who some referred to as “The Savior of the World” issued a command that, unbeknownst to himself, fulfilled prophecy concerning the real Savior of the World.
The Jewish custom for taking a census was to have people go to their ancestral home. For many this meant no or minimal traveling. For Joseph and Mary it meant an 85 mile trek. Bethlehem is not specifically called “the city of David” in the Old Testament. Jerusalem is given that moniker. But in 1 Samuel 20:6 David does refer to Bethlehem as his city and it is where his father lived. In Micah 5:2 Bethlehem is connected to the coming of the Messiah. Most likely Mary makes the trip as the betrothed of Joseph. Matthew tells us that Joseph and Mary live together as husband and wife, though Mary remained a virgin until after Jesus was born (Mt. 1:24-25).
Traditionally we view Mary going into labor as soon as they arrive in Bethlehem, with Joseph desperately knocking on doors seeking shelter only to be turned away time after time. Ah, but verse 6 makes it sound more likely that they were already there. Who knows how long? And this brings us to The Jesus was born in a barn tradition. This tradition hinges on the translation “inn”. Even though the word can mean “inn,” it is rarely used as such, and never by Luke. Its more common meaning is “guest room.” Truthfully it is a vague word that can refer to any living quarters. It seems likely that Joseph and Mary were already staying in a house, a house that did not have an available guest room. Most peasants had a room inside their houses for the animals. It was lower than the main room so that the animals would not wander up to where the family gathered to eat. This elevated family room often had mangers cut into the floor near the “animal” room. It is likely that it was one of these mangers that Jesus was laid into because there was no space in the “guest room.” I like this better. It paints a picture of poor people opening their home to a young couple – especially to a young pregnant woman. Instead of the “we have no place for you” picture, which leaves Bethlehem feeling icy cold. Jesus was born in humble circumstances. He was wrapped in swaddling cloths just like any peasant baby would have been.
And isn’t this how God often chooses to display his power. The world was bowing before a cunning and ruthless tyrant, while God showed up as a painfully normal peasant baby, in a painfully normal home. It is a contrast in power. God’s power is often displayed in the beautifully normal. Mary was a normal, poor, Jewish teenager. Joseph was an honorable, yet normal carpenter. Jesus was born a normal baby – a baby who shaped history. With God the normal become glory! That’s good! Because I am painfully normal.