“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.). And everyone went to their own town to register.
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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” – Luke 2:1-5
Caesar Augustus was the first Roman emperor. Prior to his position, Rome was a republic ruled by a senate. The senate gave Julius Caesar Octavian supreme authority and awarded him the honour of the title “Augustus”, which means “sacred” or “exalted one.” Roman rule was great in power and its borders kept expanding further and further in the Mediterranean world.
The Roman decree was sent out that a census was to be enforced for all people under their rule. For registering account of the people, for military aid, and for taxation purposes. While the Jewish people weren’t obligated to serve in the Roman army, they did have to pay the appropriate taxes as required by the law.
From a human perspective, the Roman emperor had the final say… and “everyone went to their own town to register.” But unknown to the plans of Caesar, a Messiah was prophesied long ago, to come through the royal line of King David, and this baby King would be born in David’s city - Bethlehem. So, while the people followed the plans that the government rule decreed, God’s hand was the one who indeed orchestrated it. For man may make decrees, but God decides the times and seasons and the outcome of history. (ref. Daniel 2:21)
And at just the right time, God sent His son into the world. “When the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sonship [and daughtership].” – Galatians 4:4
Caesar’s plans were to make his empire stronger and wealthier. He planned to tax the people – having them pay a financial debt he felt they owed. But God, knowing we owed a spiritual debt we could never pay, had a plan to reconcile it all through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His Son. The only Sacred One was the One that God would exalt – the name that is above all other names.
In those days… just like in our day, God is still in control. While the enemy means to cause destruction, God works out His plans. No power takes reign on earth than that of which God has allowed. He is over all things and in Him all things hold together. (ref. Colossians 1:17). His Sovereignty doesn’t expire – it lasts forever.
So, this Christmas season may not look what we want it to look like, abiding under government restrictions during a pandemic; but we hold hope of the God who was, is, and is to come again!
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