In Those Days

Read: Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

¹In 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.) ³And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴So 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. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and 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.

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

¹³Suddenly 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.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Reflect:

I find myself drawn to the way Luke chapter 2 begins. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken.” I’m sure those words meant something different for each of the individuals involved in this incredible event. For Caesar Augustus, in those days meant it was time to take a census. A time to be sure everyone was counted so taxes could be collected from all living in the Roman Empire.

Imagine for just a moment what those words meant to Joseph and Mary. I can see them looking at each other and thinking, “You have got to be kidding me!” Mary was expecting her first child and the thought of traveling to Bethlehem probably wasn’t something that excited her. And then, to top it off, while she is in Bethlehem the time comes for her child to be born. I wonder what went through her mind. Obviously, we are not told, but a quick look at some of the other scriptures surrounding the birth of Jesus shows us Mary’s confidence in what God was doing in her life. Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel when he told her she, a virgin, would bear a child was “I am the Lord’s servant … may it be to me as you have said.” After her visit to Elizabeth who exclaimed to her, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear!” Mary would proclaim, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” In those days, in the midst of an event she didn’t fully understand, in the midst of having to travel miles away while pregnant, Mary experienced peace because she knew who was in control of her life.

For the shepherds, in those days meant an ordinary, routine night of caring for sheep would become an unforgettable moment in time. They would be among the first to see the long awaited Savior of their people! Their initial fear would become rejoicing as “a great company of heavenly hosts” praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Imagine the significance of those days on the rest of their days!

Act:

What about us? When we face those days — days when things don’t go the way we had hoped, days when the news from a doctor isn’t what we wanted, days when the phone rings and we realize a loved one won’t be there to celebrate Christmas with us any longer, days when we are just tired, frustrated, or angry — what then? Will we like Mary and the shepherds experience a deep, abiding peace, not because the circumstances will change, but because we are confident God is on His throne?

Pray:

Nothing that touches us is unknown to You, God. So, may we echo the words of one of the kings of Judah as he faced impending enemies: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Our eyes on you, Jesus. You are where true peace comes from!

Kathy Cosner