Thoughts From Luke - Day 6

                                                         Luke 2:1-15
 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.
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 

    Ahh, the Christmas story, what can be said that hasn't already been said? How about relating it to Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump? I bet that hasn't been done - so here goes.

    

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

     Let's start with "in those days". What days? Daniel Chapter 9 records the prophecy of 70 weeks which many Bible scholars have calculated the triumphal entry of Christ to occur 4/6/32. Because of the accuracy of Daniel's prophecies, skeptics concluded that the book of Daniel was written after Jesus and inserted into the prophets. This makes sense until you look at the dead sea scrolls which have been dated at 70BC that included Daniel. Or the Septuagint which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament which was circulating at that time. Therefore, we conclude that God was going to do what He said He would do, when He said He would do it. And then there is the prophecy in Micah 5:2 saying where Jesus would be born - in Bethlehem. How do you make this happen when Jesus' parents lived in Nazareth? Have the ruler declare a census where everyone went back to their hometown. Why didn't God just pick a couple living in Bethlehem? I don't know. I don't think there are any prophecies about Jesus' parents other than His mom would be a virgin and they would be of the lineage of David which in the city of David, Bethlehem, I'm sure God could have found others to fit that bill. Maybe Mary was just that special? Maybe God just wanted to show that He is in charge of worldly governments and He can make them do whatever He wants done and no one can thwart His plans.

     I have always liked the illustration by James Kennedy where He describes God's plan as an ocean liner headed from New York to London. On the deck, thousands of people play, party, eat, sin, and basically have free will to do whatever they want to do. At the same time, the ship will arrive in London as scheduled. What does this have to do with Hilary and Donald? A lot of people are up in arms about this year's election. On one hand you have a socialist crook and on the other hand you have, well....Donald. Many people, even my family, have decided not to vote. Many people fear for the fate of our country. What do I think? Well, I just read this morning that the Supreme Court declared Texas' strict abortion laws were unconstitutional. I have got to vote Republican because they will put in conservative judges. But beside that, am I nervous or anxious about the future because of our bad choices for leaders? No because God's plans cannot be thwarted. This world is not my home. Jesus is coming back how He said He will, where He said He will, and when He said He will http://thoughtsfromtherightbrain.blogspot.com/2014/04/whats-so-awesome-about-jesus-chapter-by.html . My future is secure. Is yours?

    Thank you Lord that I am going to live forever with You in Heaven and nothing on Earth can change that! Amen