Luke 2:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David… He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

For Meditation

The prophecy was crystal clear and celebrated among the Jews of all ages. Messiah would come from the little town of Bethlehem Ephrathah, the Town of David (Micah 5:2). But who had the spiritual sensitivity to know when the time had fully come (Gal. 4:4-5)?

As Doctor Luke tells us, Augustus Caesar called for a census across the Roman world, and everyone went to their hometown to register (Lk.2:1-3).

A young virgin with a child, the mystery of Providence, also traveled with her husband from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary entered the ‘House of Bread’ at the peak of the registration when every room had an occupant, but the baby was due. The only place for the couple was in a sheep pen. There, Mary gave birth to her first-born child, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger (7).

The long-awaited King of Israel—the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6-7)—was born in Bethlehem. Yet, the town did not know. Shepherds came from the field to worship Him without a fuse (Lk. 2:8-20). Two years later, Magi from the east came to pay homage to the King of the Jews and left (Matt. 2:1-12), Yet Bethlehem and the entire nation were still asleep to the truth of the Messiah’s birth. How did they miss this unique occasion?

Did anybody care to know His birth when the town was bubbling with joy? With some welcoming their kindred, they hadn’t seen for the longest time, and others doing brisk business; who cared to know?

Today, the world is still asleep to the truth of Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. Business is brisk, and technology has captivated the minds of people. Listen to the science, they say, so the world shrugs Him off and goes about its business, just as Bethlehem did and missed His coming.

However, Calvary still testifies to the Savior’s sacrifice that has broken the tyranny and rule of sin. The empty grave also bears witness to the resurrection—the Savior’s victory over death and His ascension into heaven, where He took His seat of authority and honor at the right hand of God in majesty.

O that the world would wake up from its sinful stupor and live! The blood still flows at Calvary to wash the sins of any who make it there with a penitent heart.

The greatest tragedy of the world is for anyone to miss the greatest offer of God to humanity, the gracious gift of our loving Father through His Son, Jesus. Christ.

Shalom