1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ~ Luke 2:1-7
This is the story of the first real and true Christmas. For in the fullness of time, God sent His only begotten Son, loved and adored by all of heaven and by the Father. Prized among the believers, rejected by men, and despised by the nations. But yet He came that we might have the promise of Christmas, and this was the very first Christmas morning. But many things had to all happen in sync, and in order, and everything had to be in harmony with each other and with Scriptural prophecy.
Caesar Augustus sent out a decree ordering all people in the Roman Empire to go to their own place of ancestral heritage to be registered for tax purposes. Mary and Joseph also went from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea to be registered. Although Mary was so far along in her pregnancy, still, she and Joseph had to travel to the City of David to be registered just in time for Mary to give birth to her firstborn Son, our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ. If it was not for the decree Mary and Joseph would not have a reason to be in Bethlehem, and Jesus would be born in the town of Nazareth. But God, in His omnipotence, looked down the corridors of time and saw and predicted what must take place.
Therefore, without even knowing it, by sending out that decree, Caesar ensured that God’s prophecy, which declared that the Messiah shall be born in Bethlehem, would come to pass. The Proverb, (Proverbs 19:21), that says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails” NIV is proved true. Many things had to happen all in sync and all in harmony as per Scripture. That is why we have Christmas, because God loved us so that He gave Jesus on that very first Christmas morning that whosoever believes and accepts Him shall live forever with Him.
Thank You, Father, that You gave us Your only begotten Son, our LORD, and Savior Jesus Christ, that we might live through His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. May we always honor Your birth, LORD Jesus, on that very first Christmas morning. And may we always value and appreciate Your sacrifice, and may we love and wait patiently for the hope of Your appearing. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.