When Jesus came to them, they were in Bethlehem. They had gone there on a journey. There was no room for them in the inn; so they had to stay in a place made for cattle. God was not ashamed to place his Son in the care of poor people. He was not ashamed to have him born in a stable and cradled in a manger.
A bright star appeared over the place where the young child lay, and by this sign the wise men that came from the east seeking him were enabled to find him.
The Good Shepherd
JESUS once lived on this very same earth on which we live. He walked through grain-fields. He climbed mountains. He noticed the birds and flowers, and watched the fishermen and farmers and shepherds. He used the things he saw to teach lessons to his disciples and others who came to hear him.
In the land of Palestine, where he lived, sheep-raising was very common. He said at one time: “I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me.”
He was trying to show the people that he was just as anxious to help people live right and to keep them from danger as the kind shepherds who watched over their flocks upon the hills of Palestine were anxious to keep their sheep from harm at all times.
