Born for Us: The King in a Manger — January 11 [Description]This powerful narrative centers on the astonishing humility of Jesus Christ’s birth. Though He was the eternal King of glory, Jesus came to earth in obscurity—born not in a palace but in a stable, with no grand announcement to the elite. His arrival fulfilled ancient prophecies, yet went unnoticed by the very people entrusted with those prophecies. Religious leaders, distracted by status and ritual, missed the most important event in history. Only a few humble seekers and lowly shepherds, open to truth and wonder, were chosen to witness heaven’s joy and hear the angels’ proclamation. The story highlights God’s choice to reveal Himself through humility, not hype—and reminds us that divine encounters often come quietly to those with open hearts. Overview of Luke 2:1-20:This passage recounts the birth of Jesus Christ. It begins with a decree from Caesar Augustus requiring a census, which causes Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem. There, with no available lodging, Mary gives birth to Jesus in a humble stable and lays Him in a manger. Meanwhile, an angel appears to shepherds nearby, announcing the Savior’s birth and proclaiming peace and joy for all people. A multitude of angels join in praise, and the shepherds hurry to find Jesus. They spread the news with awe and amazement, while Mary treasures all these moments in her heart. This passage highlights humility, divine intervention, and the arrival of hope for the world.

Bible discovery

Luke 2:1-20365D 11.1

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.365D 11.2

2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.365D 11.3

3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.365D 11.4

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,365D 11.5

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed ^{[a]NU omits wife} wife, who was with child.365D 11.6

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.365D 11.7

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a ^{[b]feed trough} manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.365D 11.8

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.365D 11.9

9 And ^{[c]NU omits behold} behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.365D 11.10

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.365D 11.11

11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.365D 11.12

12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a ^{[d]feed trough} manger.”365D 11.13

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:365D 11.14

14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill ^{[e]NU toward men of goodwill} toward men!”365D 11.15

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”365D 11.16

16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.365D 11.17

17 Now when they had seen Him, they made ^{[f]NU omits widely} widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.365D 11.18

18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.365D 11.19

19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.365D 11.20

20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.365D 11.21

Spirit of Prophecy Reading

The Desire of Ages pp.43-49:365D 11.22

This chapter is based on Luke 2:1-20.365D 11.23

The King of glory stooped low to take humanity. Rude and forbidding were His earthly surroundings. His glory was veiled, that the majesty of His outward form might not become an object of attraction. He shunned all outward display. Riches, worldly honor, and human greatness can never save a soul from death; Jesus purposed that no attraction of an earthly nature should call men to His side. Only the beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him. The character of the Messiah had long been foretold in prophecy, and He desired men to accept Him upon the testimony of the word of God.365D 11.24

The angels had wondered at the glorious plan of redemption. They watched to see how the people of God would receive His Son, clothed in the garb of humanity. Angels came to the land of the chosen people. Other nations were dealing in fables and worshiping false gods. To the land where the glory of God had been revealed, and the light of prophecy had shone, the angels came. They came unseen to Jerusalem, to the appointed expositors of the Sacred Oracles, and the ministers of God’s house. Already to Zacharias the priest, as he ministered before the altar, the nearness of Christ’s coming had been announced. Already the forerunner was born, his mission attested by miracle and prophecy. The tidings of his birth and the wonderful significance of his mission had been spread abroad. Yet Jerusalem was not preparing to welcome her Redeemer.365D 11.25

Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life’s peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.365D 11.26

The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life’s peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan’s power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. “Herein is love.” Wonder, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth!365D 11.27