The birth took place away from people, all alone. Note that Mary herself wrapped the child in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.

d. Jesus was born in humiliation. He did not enter the world …

• in a hospital,

• in a comfortable home,

• in the home of a friend or relative,

• under a doctor’s care,

• under the stars of heaven, nor even out in the open,

• but in a smelly stable, the lowest imaginable place for a birth.

Jesus was born into a corruptible world full of sin and selfishness, greed and unkindness. This is seen in that …

• the world (represented in the innkeeper) was so wrapped up in its affairs that it could not help a woman bearing a child

• no one would make room for Mary in the inn. Money and personal comfort were more important to all who had become aware of the situation

In the eyes of many, an angel would never appear to a shepherd. Shepherds would seldom be found praising and worshipping God; as a result they were looked upon as anything but worshippers. Their reputation was lowly at best, and religious people snubbed and ignored them. They were despised because they were unable to attend services and to keep the ceremonial laws of washing and cleansing. Their flocks just kept them too busy. What a beautiful foretaste of the salvation to come: God gave the first message of His Son to common shepherds, those looked upon as sinners.