12 Days of Christmas - The Real Story (Day 5) - Arrival at the Tower
Luke 2:4
Bethlehem, a small, quaint town, nestled in the hills of Judah. Shepherds kept watch over their flocks in the hills nearby, raising lambs, some of which would be offered as a sacrifice in the temple in Jerusalem, some 5 miles away.
On the outskirts of the town stands a watch tower used by shepherds in days of old to shelter themselves and to keep watch over their flocks. It was a place of refuge, a place where ewes could safely birth their lambs.
As we saw, Joseph and Mary both likely had family in Bethlehem due to their heritage and the other connections to this place that we see in scripture. Joseph would likely have connected with relatives and not needed to find a place to stay in some hotel. In fact, the word “inn” in Luke 2:7 is translated “guest chamber” in the two other places in the new testament that it is used.1
It’s also important to note that they didn’t start their stay in Bethlehem near the manger. Luke 2:6 says “And so it was, that, while they were there…” that is, they came to Bethlehem, and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth.
If you have been present for a birth, you understand the challenges that come with that. It’s important to have a space for the birth, a place with access to water is preferable, somewhere secluded where other people won’t interfere or add stress to the mother. Luke 2:7 explains that this birthing event happened at the manger because there was no room for them to have the birth in the chamber where they had been staying, not that there was no room for them to stay in the guest chamber.2
But then, there is the biggest shift in our story. The prophet Micah points out something important and powerful about the real story of Christmas that brings significance to His coming here to this place. In Micah 5:2 we have the prophecy that the scribes of Herod give to the wise men when they inquire where the Christ should be born:
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out 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.
But, if we back up in the book just a few verses, Micah 4:8 is presented in the same context and it points to something very interesting:
And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.
The tower here is a place called in Hebrew, “migdal eder”, the tower of the flock. It is here, at the tower, where lambs were birthed, some of which plausibly would have been offered as a sacrifice to God at the temple.
The shepherds would know this as a sign that this baby was the promised Messiah. Here, lying in a manger they would find a little baby. A manger, the place where the lambs were birthed, they would find the Lamb of God!
And so the time came for Mary to give birth.3 No doubt the house erupted with the hustle of the midwife and a relative or two gathering needed comforts to support the birth. Rather than trying to handle everything in the small guest chamber where Mary and Joseph were staying, Mary made her way to the small shepherds tower just a short way from the house. Here there was ample water at the ready, and it was far more private than the stone house in town.
What was to Mary and Joseph a response to their situation, was in fact a powerful and meaningful moment. It was a fulfillment of prophecy, and a picture of the magnificent way in which God directs our every step when we trust in Him. Even the little details become important parts of the story.
We may face situations and challenges that seem insignificant and pointless in our daily lives, I have had many of those moments in my own life, and I’m sure you’ve had your share of problems to solve and situations to respond to. But God, when we rest in Him, can use even the most ordinary moments to do the most extraordinary things.
Luk 2:7 KJV - And she brought forth 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.[G2646]
Mar 14:14 KJV - And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber,[G2646] where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
Luk 22:11 KJV - And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber,[G2646] where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
Luk 2:7 KJV - And she brought forth 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.
Luk 2:6 KJV - And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.