Characters at the Cradle: The Birth of Jesus, Glory to God in the Highest

A Moment of Hope · Dec 31, 2025 · 4m

by David Chadwick

Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be registered for taxes. While there, Jesus was born in a smelly manger instead of a nice inn. The God of all creation chose to enter the world in the most humble of states. Jesus is the main character at the cradle. His birth was the catalyst to draw every other character to the cradle.

So what happens next in the story? Let's look at Luke 2:8-14 to see who were the first characters at the cradle following Jesus's birth.

Verse 8 says that the shepherds were "out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Suddenly, an…