A decree went out from emperor Augustus that all the world should register. The registration was required of the men to go to the city or town of their births so Joseph needed to travel to Bethlehem, the city of David, to register. His bride, the very young pregnant Mary, went with him and while they were there she gave birth to the Holy Child Jesus.
She gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7) She had brought the clothes her mother and sisters made for her Holy Child. Nothing was sterile there in the animal's cave yet she and Joseph did their best to be careful. Jesus' birth filled them with relief and the greatest joy they had ever known. Their joy came from looking into Jesus' face for His was the face of God.
The manger in which they laid Him was actually a feeding trough for horses and donkeys. Joseph made sure it was soft with hay, covered with mother's hand-made blanket, and carefully laid Mary and God's sleeping Baby down in the manger. As Joseph lovingly tended to Mary's recovery from childbirth he repeatedly kept praising God. Mary harmonosly whispered to each praise, " My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." (Luke 1:46-47)
As this was occurring for Mary and Joseph, an angel of the Lord was speaking to the shepherds in the nearby fields saying, "Do no be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you Good News of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a Child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12) Then suddenly the heavens filled with angels praising God!
The humble shepherds went with haste to find Him! They ran, laughed, talked loudly about those angels, and they praised God as they went. They ran toward the huge shining star overhead marking the place of Jesus' birth. At the entrance to the animal cave the shepherds whispered, asking permission to enter and see the Holy Child. Mary and Joseph quietly received their young visitors as the shepherds whispered their witness to the angel's announcement and the heavenly host of angels.
And the shepherds knew, understood, and got it-- Mary had delivered a baby and this Baby would deliver them. They loved Him with a love that they had never experienced before. And gathering around the manger they watched as their Baby opened His eyes and smiled at them. Yes, He was their Baby now too, forever to love Him. Like the shepherds did, look and see your salvation, your first Miracle from God, your greatest everlasting Blessing. He is your Baby today too.