But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. (Micah 5:2)
As you gaze upon the nativity scene this season, remember that God moved heaven and earth to assemble this particular group, at this particular time, for His particular purpose. Consider the magnitude of events that were brought to bear upon this one single event in human history:
Joseph and Mary lived miles away in Nazareth – multiple days journey from Bethlehem. How did God get Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem on this particular night? He moved on Caesar Augustus months/years earlier to impose a census/tax on Judeans – requiring Joseph to pack up his pregnant wife and make the very inconvenient trip.
The Wise Men from the East traveled for weeks following the sign in the heavens, looking for the one who is born King of the Jews. Why did they care? They were likely followers of a prophet/author who had lived in their homeland some 600 years earlier – an imprisoned Jew named Daniel. The gifts which they brought would fund Jesus’ childhood in Egypt, where Joseph took him to escape Herod.
The Shepherds weren’t random goatherders – they were caring for sheep that were being raised specifically for sacrifice in the Temple.
The Angels are perhaps the most spectacular and meaningful presence. One angel is probably convincing enough – but a great host (an army) of angels travelled across the universe declare that what God had promised was happening “Today, and To You!”
It took years for the taxman to get to Bethlehem. It took months for the wise men to get to Bethlehem. It took days for Joseph and Mary to get to Bethlehem. It took hours for the shepherds to get to Bethlehem. And heaven’s armies broke centuries of silence to affirm – it is here! It is now!
2000 years later, in this Christmas season – I am accused by many of being a conspiracy theorist, because I sense that there is much more to current events than meets the eye. But the magnitude of what is happening behind the scenes is skewed in our favor, by far! No amount of human conspiracy can stop what God has conspired.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 (NIV)
This has been a rough year for Joseph – a census, taxation, accusations. But he has a promise, and he’s committed to protecting it with all his might. And on that first Christmas, he comes to understand that God has been conspiring for centuries to bring incredible salvation.
May the same be realized by you and for you in the Christmas of 2020. When it seems that others have been conspiring against you – be reminded that God has been conspiring for you. And resolve, like Joseph, to Protect that Promise with everything in your being.
Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)
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.”
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.
Matthew 2:1-14
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”