Arranging Christmas

Many events had to fall into place to bring us to the birth of our Savior. Fulfilling Old Testament prophecies, not only was Joseph of the house and lineage of David but most Bible scholars believe so was Mary. They attribute Matthew's genealogy to Joseph and Luke's to Mary, stating that during this time in history, a woman's name would not have been used but her husband's in such a list. So, a man and a woman, both of whom could trace their genealogical line to David, became betrothed.

And the angel said unto her, fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus (Luke 1:30-31).

Then, both the man and the woman needed to accept this incredulous event. Mary had such a strong faith that she believed the angel's proclamation that she would have a child without knowing a man, and this child would be the long-awaited Messiah. She didn't try to shrug it off as a dream or a strange vision. Instead, she said, "Be it unto me according to thy word." She was willing to face whatever was needed and to make whatever sacrifices asked of her to follow the will of God.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).

And Joseph had to accept all of this, too. By law, he could have had her stoned for being with child apart from him while they were betrothed. However, when he found out, he decided to send her away quietly. But the angel also appeared to him in a dream, and Joseph believed what the angel told him, kept Mary to be his wife, and did not know her until after Jesus was born.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,  into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child (Luke 2:1 & 3-5).

Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, but the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem according to Micah 5:2. Something needed to get Mary and Joseph the ninety miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a great distance to be traveling in those days, especially for a pregnant woman. So, Caesar Augustus, the Roman ruler issued a decree that all in the Roman world must go to the city of their ancestors to be counted in a census and taxed. Therefore, being of the lineage of David, Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem.

Do you see how God orchestrated these events so that everything would fall into place for his Son's birth? I'm sure that, like me, you have seen things coming together in your own life to support God's plan for you. Don't we serve an amazing God? And one of the most amazing events in history happened in the Christmas story. The Savior of the world was born in a manger so that he could go to the cross, rise again, and provide a way for mankind to have a relationship with the Father and spend eternity in His presence. Praise God!

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