So many events conspired to make the birth of the Baby in the stable a momentous occasion. Many individual stories interwove to create the fabric of a saga that has only grown stronger with time.
At the same time the “Carol of the Horse” unfolds, some of these other stories are set into motion. Four of them — The Star, The Shepherds, The Magi, and The Romans — are illuminated in the parchment periphery of The Story:
A new light appeared in the sky the night baby Jesus was born. It inspired working shepherds to walk into town (Luke 2: 9). It set international caravans of Oriental astronomers in motion (Matthew 2:2). It was not a short–lived, one–night event. The star was clearly visible for at least two years (Matthew 2: 7, 10, & 16)
It all happened because a woman had given birth to a baby (Luke 2:6) — and the Light from that night still shines…
Humble, working shepherds were the first to learn that Christ was born.
A message from an angel choir first terrified them, and then convinced them that they should visit the newborn in a manger (Luke 2: 8 – 15). They never questioned the location for the birth. They hurried to the stable. After seeing the Savior, they wasted no time in telling everyone who would listen what happened to them that night (Luke 2: 16 – 20).
Quite some time after Jesus’ birth, the Magi or wise men arrived in Judea. They presented themselves before Herod and asked to see the King of the Jews. “We have seen his star in the east,” they said, “and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2: 1 – 7, 16).
Travel at the time was extremely dangerous, tedious, and slow. The magi saw the light the night the baby was born, but they had to follow the star for nearly two years before it “stood over where the young child was” (Matthew 2:9).
Finally, the Magi were able to see the child, fall before him, worship him, and present him with gifts they had carefully brought with them on their journey (Matthew 2: 9 – 11).
When Pompey invaded Palestine in 63 B.C., Judea was incorporated into the province of Syria and fell under Roman rule.
Though the infamous Herod was officially considered the “King of the Jews” at the time of Jesus’ birth, the real ruler of the land was Emperor Caesar Augustus. He called for an official census and a nationwide tax. The tax was collected in the hometown of every man’s ancestors, which is why Joseph and his young, expectant wife Mary, left their home in Galilee and went to Nazareth (Luke 2: 1 – 5).
Roman centurions of the time were often wealthy noblemen who bought their right to rule. They were also generally expected to provide their own mounts — so it stands to reason that any warhorses were well–bred steeds, as proud as their owners.
Was a horse really in the stable on the night of the first Christmas? Of course it’s impossible to say. However, if Caesar wanted to make sure that his decree was enforced, it would make sense for him to station a few capable commanders in each town.
No innkeeper who wished to remain in business would turn away a member of the occupying forces. It would be more to his benefit to give his last room to a Roman soldier, even it meant turning away paying customers (Luke 2:7). If a warhorse was stabled in town, his master surely had a comfortable bed nearby…
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