1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:1-12

1. The Manger: A Place of Humiliation

7a “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:7a

8a And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself Philippians 2:8a

2b He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. Isaiah 53:2b

7b no guest room available for them Luke 2:7b

2. The Manger: A Place of Incarnation

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:6-7

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

20b what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20b

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

8b the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. Revelation 13:8b

12 “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12

3. The Manger: A Place of Hope

27b Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27b

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? 11 Why so disturbed within me? 5 Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5, 42:11, 43:5

23b those who hope in me will not be disappointed. Isaiah 49:23b