The Ritzville Adams County Journal - Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

From Luke 2:1-12

“In those days, a decree went out that all the world should be taxed. Everyone went to be taxed, each into his own city. Joseph also went up from Nazareth, into the city of David, called Bethlehem; (because he was of the lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And while they were there, she gave birth to 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. In the same country shepherds were abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and the angel told them, Fear not: Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. You shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Why did the angels come out in the middle of fields to a small insignificant town like Bethlehem? It was the least of the cities of Judah. There were just sheep, and a few simple shepherds. But every detail of the Nativity story was significant and was planned by God. These simple shepherds were most important in God’s eyes because these Bethlehem shepherds raised lambs for the Passover and daily sacrifices at the temple. Even the Roman census caused Mary and Joseph to travel to the birthplace of David, and to the exact Manger where the sacrificial lambs were born … to give birth to the Lamb of God. Even the swaddling clothes were the very cloth strips used to bind up the lambs being prepared for the temple sacrifices (to keep them without blemish or defect).

When John the Baptist first saw Jesus, he announced,” Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”. This is the reason Jesus came into the world. It is fitting that Jesus, the Lamb of God, would become the ultimate Passover sacrifice.

The wise men who came from the east knew Daniel’s scriptures, and were expecting the arrival of the Messiah. They knew it was time for His arrival. They came looking for Him. They brought expensive and significant gifts to honor the newborn King, GOLD to show His royalty, FRANKINCENSE His divinity, and MYRRH, used for death and burial, expressing His full humanity. The wise men came to worship Him.

. John’s ministry was one of repentance. Is your heart ready to receive Jesus, the Lamb of God?

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”