( CNN ) -- Riders of Philadelphia public transit were reminded on Christmas Day that the holiday celebrates a birth in the humblest of circumstances . The Christ child was born in a stable , the Nativity story in the Gospel of Luke says . On Thursday , a woman went into labor in the subway , and people in the train car watched as two transit police officers helped her give birth , police said . It brought Christmas joy to Sgt . Daniel Caban and Officer Dorrell James . The policemen with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority ( SEPTA ) boarded the train after receiving a call , CNN affiliate KYW reported . The baby was already on its way into the world . `` We just went right to work , '' Caban said . Cell phone images published to social media showed the officers holding the baby then later carrying it out of the subway wrapped in swaddling . Mother and child were taken to a hospital for a medical check . The officers ' boss tweeted a shout out to them . `` Transit Police SGT and PO deliver baby on Market Frankford El train ! ! ! ! WOOHOO ! ! ! Now that 's a Christmas gift ! ! ! '' posted SEPTA chief Thomas J. Nestel III . Caban told KYW he did n't mind that his wish for an uneventful Christmas was sunk . `` We delivered a baby for her , so it 's like her Christmas present , '' Caban said , `` but it 's also like a blessing and present for myself . '' James agreed , saying , `` Just a good Christmas , you know . ''
A woman went into labor on a Philadelphia subway train . Two transit police officers entered the train to find her giving birth . They helped her bring the child into the world ; it made their Christmas . Christmas celebrates the birth of the Christ child in humblest circumstances .