Pam Padgett - teacher
Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city
of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be
taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it
was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she
should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
To the natural mind it would seem terribly unfortunate that there was
no room at the inn for Joseph and Mary when Jesus was born. Instead of
the newborn baby being cared for in a room at the inn, He was wrapped
in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.
However, we see that this was used as a sign for the shepherds ...
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding
in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 And the angel said unto them,
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which
shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them
into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath
made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Rather than being a problem that there was no room in the inn, it resulting in Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger after His birth. This
was the sign God chose for the shepherds of the newborn Saviour, Christ the Lord.
And having seen these things, the shepherds not only told abroad what the angel spoke about the baby (Jesus), but they also glorified and praised God.