The Choreographer of Christmas
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
Luke 2:1 (NKJV)
With these familiar words the gospel writer, Luke, begins his narrative of the Christmas story.
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:1-7, NKJV)
Augustus just said the word and the whole world scrambled to obey him. As New Testament scholar Tom Wright put it: “This man, this king, this absolute monarch, lifts his finger in Rome and 1500 miles away, in an obscure province, a poverty-stricken couple undertakes a hazardous 70-mile journey at the whim of the king.”
That unplanned trip resulted in Mary’s child being born in a little town that just happened to be the one mentioned in one of the most specific Hebrew prophecies regarding the Messiah.
Hundreds of years earlier the prophet Micah had written: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel…” (Micah 5:2).
There is no way these two would have ever made the difficult journey to Bethlehem if it were not for something totally outside their control. But in those days, there went out a decree… and it came to pass.
Prevailing Purposes
Why did it come to pass? Augustus would have told you that it was because of him. He made the call. He issued the command. He was in control.
But Luke is making a point here. Who really made the decree? Who really is Lord? Whose will was really being done? Whose kingdom is it really?
Luke is exposing the illusion that we all live with – that we are mere pawns in the hands of human powers – whether they are government officials or city ordinances, whether they are employers or coaches, whether they are former friends or ex-spouses.
You have to wonder if the apostle had Proverbs 19:21 in mind. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
His point is clear: Human potentates are really small potatoes to God. He is ultimately the One who is on the throne and His will is that which will be done.
Human potentates are really small potatoes to God. He is ultimately the One who is on the throne and His will is that which will be done.
God is in control. Neither Caesar nor his system has the last word. They didn’t then and they don’t now.
God was fully in charge of the 1st-century world and He’s no less in control of the 21st-century world. He was sovereign over the circumstances that concerned a couple of kids from Nazareth and He’s sovereign over the life of a single mom or a frazzled dad…over a lonely teen or a weary senior citizen.
So, every time you read or sing about Bethlehem in the days ahead, let hope rise in you. And remember: God is still in the business of doing whatever it takes to bring His people into their destiny. God is in control and His purposes will prevail.
God is still in the business of doing whatever it takes to bring His people into their destiny.
PRAYER
Lord, I’m amazed at how you perfectly choreographed that first Christmas. You brought everything together in just the right way. This gives me such confidence that you are no less choreographing this Christmas. And that you will bring everything together in just the right way.
Devotionals for Every Day Disciples is brought to you by our partners.
To support Dave DeSelm Ministries by becoming a partner, CLICK HERE.