"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder" (Isa. 9.6).

On Christmas morning it is natural that thoughts should be about Jesus, born a baby, but born to be King. Looking at the story, it strikes us how Mary had this necessity of journeying to pay taxes thrust upon her, when she was so near to having her baby.

In most homes, in our society, the `mother-to-be' is fussed over and she is forbidden to do anything energetic, she has to have plenty of rest and generally prepare herself as well as possible for the forthcoming event. Fathers no doubt take over the necessary chores; children have it impressed upon them that they have to be good. Grandmas and Grandads are usually in attendance to offer advice and speculative comment, and generally everyone tries to keep the 'mother-to-be' cool, calm and collected.

One may ask ‑ why at this of all times should it be that, Mary had to go, with Joseph her husband, to the city of David, Bethlehem? It was God's will, it had been foretold in Micah 5.2. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

The hand of God was leading them on. He overrules the purposes of Emperors and Kings, of statesmen and Parliaments, for the accomplishment of His designs (though they know them not). He hardened the heart of Pharaoh, called Cyrus King of Persia like a slave to his foot, made the mighty King Nebuchadnezzar his servant; this God was now using Augustus, through his decree for taxes, to bring Joseph and Mary to the significant town of Bethlehem.

Mary neither argued or grumbled; she just packed her bags and accompanied Joseph her husband to Bethlehem, the city of David, because being of the lineage of David this was where he had to be enrolled.

One can imagine her ordeal, for there were no modern comforts in those days, no motors, ambulances or buses. She would no doubt ride on an animal's back and there would be personal possessions to look after, money for the taxes, the things she had no doubt prepared in readiness for the arrival of her baby, and among these the swaddling clothes.

The distance between Nazareth in Galilee and Bethlehem in Judah is some sixty-eight miles as the crow flies, but on the way they had to pass Mt. Ebal, Mt. Gerizim and the Mt. of Olives. So it seems safe to assume that by the time they had followed the winding path, they would have trekked some 80 or 90 miles. And this was not the end of things: another ordeal awaited her, because there was no room for them at the inn.

Imagine for a moment how tired and weary Mary must have felt after such a long journey and then to be confronted with "no room at the inn". Imagine how we would feel in similar circumstances, and a birth imminent. We would no doubt be at "panic stations", feeling hot under the collar and exceedingly bothered for the comfort of the mother and the safety and well being of the child. But the Gospel bears no mention of Mary being worked up and anxious; we are merely informed that she brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger. What an example of trust, of humility, of confidence in her God!

As we consider the baby Jesus, it had been uttered by the mouths of the holy prophets since the world began, that He would come to be the Deliverer, the Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, the Government to be upon his shoulder, and of the increase of his Government and Peace to be no end. A Prince indeed! And yet He was born in such a humble manner and in such humble surroundings.

All know the excitement nowadays that takes place when a royal birth is in the offing. The papers are full of the events leading up to the great day, speculation is rife as to whether it will be a girl or a boy child, a Prince or a Princess, what they will be in line for succession to the throne, what they will be called. Television, radio, all take up the theme and the whole event is at the forefront of people's minds and is the talking point of the day. They are born to live in a palace, with everything they need for comfort and security. Yet here is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords being born in a stable in a manger, with little light by which to see, and with the smell of animals and sweat in the atmosphere. Did Jesus mind? There is absolutely no doubt, He lay there without a care in the world, unaware of all this, a very happy, loveable little baby.

The Bible teaches us to he humble and in both Mary and Jesus there is the perfect example. No wonder Jesus could say, some thirty years later, "Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

But in spite of all Mary's humility, this event was not to pass unnoticed. She would never have gone round bragging that she had given birth to the Holy Child, Jesus; she was no doubt content to give the child all the love she had. But God had other plans. Although Jesus made his entry on the stage of life so humbly and silently, although the citizens of Bethlehem dreamed not what had happened in their midst, although the Emperor at Rome knew not that his decree had influenced the nativity of a King who was yet to bear rule, not only over the Roman world, but over many a land where Roman eagles never flew, although the history of mankind went thundering forward next morning quite unconscious of the event which had happened, yet it did not altogether escape notice.

This was a great day, a day for rejoicing, and for rejoicing even now that this day took place. This was a day and an event that had to be made known. To whom did God choose to send his mighty angels to make it known? The humble, trusty shepherds in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. That which was unnoticed by kings and the great ones of this world was so absorbing a theme to the princes of Heaven that they burst the bounds of invisibility in which they shroud themselves in order to express their joy and explain the significance of the great event. Seeking the most worthy hearts to which they might communicate it, they found them in these simple trusting shepherds, living the life of contemplation and prayer, in the fields where Jacob had kept his flocks, where Boaz and Ruth had wedded, and where David the great King had spent his youth.

One can imagine in the stillness of the night, with the peaceful atmosphere and the stars shining overhead, the amazement of the shepherds when the angel appeared and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. The good tidings to the humble-hearted shepherds were that the long expected Saviour had been born this day, in the city of David, none other than Jesus Christ the Lord. None may forget the wonderful implied and outspoken promise that these good tidings of great joy shall be to all people.

At this season of the year, many will refer to their experiences as being of great joy. Gifts and the giving and receiving of them all add to the occasion, but the greatest joy will be found by those, who in simple faith, receive this message and ask Jesus into their hearts and lives, as their Saviour. Recall the familiar words of the well known Christmas hymn

`O little town of Bethlehem' (3rd verse).

"How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given,

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven,

No ear may hear His corning, but in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in"

And as Jesus enters into our lives, is it not a fact that the words "I bring you good tidings of great joy" have a much greater depth of meaning. It is as Jesus reveals himself to us, that we begin to know something of "God's Peace on Earth" and experience a foretaste of His "goodwill toward men".

The wonder of it is, that that baby born in the stable at Bethlehem nearly two thousand years ago, can be born again in the "stable" of our hearts, and we are "born again" into the family of God, to receive His Spirit as sons and daughters, and to ultimately share His glory, if we remain faithful. It can be our privilege to share in God's plan of salvation for all mankind.

The time of the restitution of all things is at the Second Advent of Christ. It is then that the words of Isaiah 9.6-7 and Luke 2.10-11 and 14 will be fulfilled, "For unto us a Son is given, and the Government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his Government and Peace there shall be no end. Upon the Throne of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this."

At this time the good tidings of great joy shall be to all people. Then all will know the Saviour who is Christ the Lord. Then all will give "glory to God in the Highest" as there is on earth "Peace and Goodwill to all men".