An Advent Reading:
Luke 2:1-20 (NASB)
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
A Christmas Eve for Little People - Meditation
If you and I could have picked up the Jerusalem Post Newspaper on this day, what might have we read in the headlines of the day?
• “Ceasar’s tax decree create scarce accommodations for travelers”
• “Herod decrees new taxes”
• “Roman Army moves on Gaul”
• “Cairo School to open”
Caesar Augustus was on the throne - "the ruler of the entire Roman world" - hence "all the inhabited earth". The great nephew of Julius Caesar was a political pro who had fought and manipulated his way to power. He was called "Augustus" when the Roman Senate threw their support towards him. "Augustus" means "holy", "revered one". Some of the Greek provinces in show of political support had named him a "god" and adopted his birthday as the first day of the year (Sept. 23rd). They hailed him as "savior", even one inscription notes he is "the savior of the world".
The world was caught up in the Caesar cult. No one entertained the possibility of a rival to his throne.
Seen through the tabloids of that day, Joseph and Mary's movements were of insignificant nobodies from a nothing town traveling to pay the tax of the "god" Caesar by traveling to another nothing town south of Jerusalem. No one noticed the movement of a young couple riding a donkey from their home town in Nazareth to Bethlehem. They rode to Bethlehem because that was where Joseph was originally from. Did anyone notice?
The mystery of grace is capsulized in Joseph and Mary's movements that evening 2000+ years ago. The King does not reside in halls of power...not in Rome...not in Washington D.C. The King is King regardless of whether he appears poor and powerless. The world is about to be turned upside down and no one knew of it.
Prophets had spoke of it: Micah 5:2 (NASB)
2 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."
God knew of it. And so this poor couple - she of suspect pregnancy - he of stalwart faith - walked and rode to pay their taxes to the powerful and rich.
The Messiah would indeed be born in tiny, insignificant Bethlehem! As the Virgin traveled, her steady beating heart, hidden from the world, kept time with the busily thumping heart of God.
The Creator had woven Himself
a robe of virgin flesh.
The baby Mary carried was not a Caesar, a man who would become "a god", but a far greater wonder — the true God who had become a man!
Today, all around the world, people will gather in churches, cathedrals, basilicas, and even houses for one purpose - To celebrate the coming of Christ Jesus, our Savior. John Piper wrote this meditation for Christmas Eve and it’s worth contemplating on all over again.
A BIG GOD FOR LITTLE PEOPLE - Luke 2:1-5
Have you ever thought what an amazing thing it is that God ordained beforehand that the Messiah be born in Bethlehem (as the prophecy in Micah 5 shows), and that He so ordained things that when the time came, the Messiah's mother and legal father were living in Nazareth, and that in order to fulfill His word and bring two little people to Bethlehem that first Christmas, God put it in the heart of Caesar Augustus that all the Roman world should be enrolled each in his own town?
Have you ever felt, like me, little and insignificant in a world of 4 billion people, where all the news is of big political and economic and social movements and of outstanding people with lots of power and prestige? If you have, don't let that make you disheartened or unhappy. For it is implicit in Scripture that all the mammoth political forces and all the giant industrial complexes, without their even knowing it, are being guided by God, not for their own sake but for the sake of God's little people. The little Mary and the little Joseph who have to be got from Nazareth to Bethlehem. God wields an empire to bless His children. Do not think, because you experience adversity, that the hand of the Lord is shortened. It is not our prosperity but our holiness that He seeks with all His heart. And to that end He rules the whole world. As Proverbs 21:1 says: "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will." He is a big God for little people and we have great cause to rejoice, that unbeknownst to them, all the kings and presidents and premiers and chancellors of the world follow the sovereign decrees of our Father in Heaven that we, the children, might be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Silent Night, Holy Night.
All is calm, All is bright,
Round yon virgin,
Mother and child,
Holy Infant
so tender and mild,
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Silent night, holy night.
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born
Silent night, holy night.
Son of God, loves pure light,
Radiant beams from thy holy place
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
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