Advent always happens in the context of government. It did in the days of Joseph and Mary. It does today.
In the days of Joseph and Mary, the "days of Caesar," the government was highly respected and feared. Caesar was seen as a "god." He had the respect of all those who were citizens of Rome-whether by choice or not. Many of those citizens saw Caesar as their god. They worshipped him and his image. They held in deep suspicion anyone who failed to honor Caesar.
In the days of Joseph and Mary, there were those who, while citizens of Rome, and who respected Caesar as the leader, honored another God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They would do what the government required as long as it did not cause them to deny their God.
In our day there are many living under governments that do not consider themselves divine. But some who may read these devotions in another language in another place do. They, like us, will participate in activities, like a census, their government requires. While many will follow the requirements of their government simply as good citizens, some will do so with the full hope and expectation their participation will not draw attention to themselves.
It is Advent. We are living out our Advent as citizens under government. We give thanks for those of us who can live out our Advent season highly respecting the government we live under and without fear. We pray God's blessings upon those who live out their Advent this year under governments that also see themselves as divine.
THE PRAYER: We pray Your blessings, Lord, upon all governments of the world, that they may allow Your people in every nation to joyfully and eagerly journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Amen.
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