1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
In God's perfect, sovereign, holy orchestration of billions upon billions of events, Joseph and Mary are led from Nazareth to Bethlehem (roughly 60 miles south) to adhere to the Roman census. Joseph was from the line of David, and therefore he was to register in Bethlehem-- the town of King David. God in all His wisdom prophecied Christ's birth in Bethlehem in Micah 5:2-4, and so it comes to pass that Mary gives birth to Jesus there.
The angels and the shepherds proclaim the glory and holiness of the Son of God, and the significance of His birth and the good news to come. At the same time, a manger is a trough from where animals eat. It is a humble (almost degrading) posture for the Son of God! He's the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He is God of all the universe! And yet it's the first of many ways that Christ shows Himself to be the Servant King. His perfect suffering led to His perfect glory. By His wounds we have been healed.
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."