Luke 2:1—In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
“Please! This is ridiculous! Those confounded Romans have conspired to make our lives miserable. Mary, I don’t know what to say. Why would God send us from
“Joseph, I don’t know why. But we must go. Surely God has His reasons for letting this happen.”
Can you hear their conversation? Joseph and Mary know they are to become the parents of God’s own Son. Near the culmination of what should be a joyous time they are rudely uprooted by a bothersome census. Joseph must somehow transport his expectant wife over 110km (~70 miles) of unpaved road on a trip ending at
God providentially sent His servants on a difficult journey. In the military leaders make risk assessments before they conduct missions. Their goal is to maximize safety and minimize risk. No wise commander would send a woman about to conceive on such a treacherous journey. Yet heaven’s Commander worked through Caesar Augustus to fulfill His word. Sometime between 750 and 686 B.C., Micah prophesied that Jesus would be born in
We sing with raised candles the story of a silent night, and somehow forget about the stormy days . . .
You will face demands upon your life this next year that will not be easy. You will be asked to do what seems ridiculous. The temptation will come to question God doubting His leadership. The urge to complain may bubble up like some acid reflux. When these demands come I hope you will remember the story of Joseph and Mary—it is not just for Christmas. It’s a daily reminder that God works in mysterious ways through multiple means to accomplish His grand will for His own glory. To share in that glory we must believe in His power. That is what faith is all about and that is truly something to think about . . . in
Inspiration
