Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 2:1-7

"Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." — Luke 2:1-7 (ASV)

The fullness of time had now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, and made under the law. The circumstances of his birth were very humble. Christ was born at an inn; he came into the world to sojourn here for a while, as at an inn, and to teach us to do likewise.

We have become by sin like an outcast infant, helpless and forlorn; and Christ was such a one. He well knew how unwilling we are to be humbly lodged, clothed, or fed; how we desire to have our children decorated and indulged; how inclined the poor are to envy the rich, and how prone the rich are to disdain the poor.

But when we by faith view the Son of God being made man and lying in a manger, our vanity, ambition, and envy are checked. We cannot, with this sight rightly before us, seek great things for ourselves or our children.