In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. Luke 2:1-3
The census ordered by Caesar Augustus was not a welcome event. For Joseph and Mary, it came at a terrible time. Mary was soon to give birth. However they traveled, their transportation was not comfortable, and when they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no comfortable place for them to stay. Yet, the timing was ordained by God. The Sovereign of the universe used the decree of a demonized pagan in Rome to make sure that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
As the lyrics of one of my favorite Christmas songs describes,
“On a starlit hillside, shepherds watched their sheep
Slowly, David’s city drifted off to sleep
But to this little town of no great renown
The Lord had a promise to keep.”
Indeed, it was about 700 years earlier that God had revealed where Jesus would be born.
“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,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.” Micah 5:2
So convenient or not, God made sure that Jesus was born where he should be.
If I had been Joseph living through it, I would have thought that none of these circumstances seemed to be ordained by God. A God who can cause a virgin birth could certainly have transported us in comfort. He certainly could have caused a room to be available at the inn. He certainly could have made things less unpleasant.
God does not promise to make us comfortable. He is not obligated to give us the choice parking spot, upgrades at the hotel, and the “best deal” on a car or house. The notion that these are the signs of God’s work in our lives is frighteningly foreign to the biblical picture of God’s priorities.
Yes, God heals. God provides. He can make an ax head float or bring water from a rock. But when we are not grateful, he may “bless us” with quail until it comes out of our nostrils. (Numbers 11)
In this season when so many folks are more focused on what they don’t have than what they do, we need to be careful. “God so loved the world that he gave his only son.” How can we not rejoice that our greatest need has already been met? As we celebrate his kindness, we will find that all of our actual needs are met.
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13
I take tremendous comfort in the reminder that God can use a pagan government that puts itself in the place of God to accomplish his purpose. God is still working out his plan, keeping his promises, blessing his people, and teaching us to rely on him and rejoice in his kindness.
