A decree from Caesar Augustus which was sent out to the entire Roman Empire to have all registered, caused Mary and Joseph to go to their own town. They went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David (Luke 2:4).
What seemed a problem to them, supposedly, when there was no room anywhere else for them to lodge, it was providential for them to lodge at a place where sacrificial lambs were cared for. These lambs were without blemish, perfect for the atonement of sin at Passover time. That was the place where only these types of animals were found. Joseph and Mary were not aware of the deep meaning of that place in relationship with their new-born Son- the Lamb of God.
Thirty years later, John would shout in the wilderness introducing Him to the world: Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!
Not far away there were shepherds tending their flock by night. That night of October became the most significant night in the history of humankind. No one knew what was happening that night. The world was asleep, while the Son of God came in the form of a baby. That was not just a baby, but no one knew, except His mother and Joseph. That quiet night soon became festive with celebration from angels. They were an army of the troops of heaven praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased (Luke 2). The shepherds were the first recipients of the hidden message of salvation found in the new-born Baby. “For you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Messiah the Lord!” God’s providential purpose of His Son to have been born in that place served as a sign to the shepherds. The angel told them: This will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]; you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (Luke 2:13). Sure that any other baby born that night was found wrapped in swaddling clothes. The clue was He was to be found “lying in a manger.” This unusual way to find a baby certified the message and sealed the truth the angel had told the shepherds. Identifying Himself with the sacrificial lambs, YAHSHUA took His position of a lamb in a symbolic way and was born among them.
Light from the Word 