While “a Star” was edging wise men from the East toward Jerusalem, a decree was being enacted by Caesar Augustus to register and tax the folk under his control.
A young couple, Joseph and Mary, in obedience to that decree, headed toward Bethlehem from Nazareth. Enough is spelled out in the Gospels to give clarity that God had to be the one directing all who were involved—nothing is slip shod about God’s method. Mary was with child, of the Holy Spirit!
Meanwhile, the Wise Men, assuming the information of a king being born was correct, headed toward Jerusalem and were even given entrance to Herod. Their arrival and information enabled Herod to consider his next move. He called together the wise men of the area and learned that Bethlehem would be the place that the Savior, the King, would be born. Thus he gave them directions to find the “babe” and come back and inform him. The sinister Herod was “out foxed” by those wise men who, after their visit with Jesus, Mary and Joseph, slipped home another way.
Other things were transpiring. God had left this occasion to herald to the world, and this time to the Shepherds, further details about the birth of our Savior. It is interesting from numerous stand-points…Here is the Great Shepherd being declared by angels as to identification. (See John 10) “In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them; “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:10-15) Someone said: “Heavens choir came down to sing when Heavens king came down to earth to save.”
There is more to come but keep in mind what this experience did to those shepherds. They, “The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” (Luke 2:20)
ETCetera 