1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Caesar Augustus thinks that when he gives an order and everyone must obey his command, however God was really behind this order for it was His plan long before Caesar Augustus was even born for the Messiah to be born in Bethlehem. So often when we are confused as to why something is happening, God is at work behind the scenes to accomplish His will and purpose for our lives.
Thank you for coming to us as a baby!
God is a master choreographer to work out the details so that Jesus would fulfill all the prophecies about his birth, life, death and resurrection!
God fulfills his promises in such quiet ways. Eventually the world would know of the Savior, but such humble beginnings. Lord, please plant the seed of your word in the lives of our children, and in our world...may these seeds spring up and grow tall!
It is so easy to give voice to the words,”His ways are not our ways.” But when we agree like Mary and Joseph to walk in His ways in order to birth His Will, the reality of those words confront us with every step. The organized church has made salvation so simple. We point back to a crucified Christ and proclaim our freedom. I was thinking in the early hours of the many Scriptures where Jesus told us following Him would be very hard for us conditioned to the world’s ways. Yet He Himself is our reward. Mary brought forth a baby and we will be brought forth in His image. His Ways are not our ways! Praise Him for…
God’s promises are forever! God loved King David in spite of David’s sins. The promise God made to David is fulfilled by Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. I love the final words in Hansel’s Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever!!