The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem actually begins in Rome. Caesar Augustus was concerned about many matters in his kingdom. One of them was its size. Roman men were not marrying and not having children. He imposed penalties for those not contributing to the growth of the kingdom. One way to monitor the growth was with a census.
The census would work an Advent blessing. It had been prophesied the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Caesar had expected the census would be one of the marks of his greatness. He listed it as eighth among the thirty-five "Acts of Augustus."
He might well have expected his death would be noted by the number of years since the founding of Rome. Instead, the baby that would be born in Bethlehem because of his census would cause his death to be marked by that birth.
As we begin our Advent journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, we are reminded that what may seem like the innocent events of government, under the blessings of God, have a profound impact on how God's grace is released into the world. This act of Caesar had a profound impact on God's grace to us.
There are many governments involved in many decisions these days. Many of them appear to have no impact on the message of God's love for us and His people, but they do! We give thanks for God's blessings on the acts of leaders and their governments in times' past. We pray He might bless those acts and decisions of government these Advent days. For as He acted to release His love in the days of Caesar Augustus, so He acts to release His love to us and through us today.
THE PRAYER: O heavenly Father, we pray Your blessings upon the acts of those who govern these days. Use their acts for Your glorious purposes. Amen.
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