Luke 2:1-7
Reflect
Whenever I read this passage I remember when my daughter had to memorize Luke 2 for a school Christmas program. Every night we would go over it a few times. Soon she could rattle it off like a machine gun! Is the Christmas story so familiar to us that we just skim through it, not taking the time to ponder on the mystery of God’s sovereignty?
Augustus’ decree was most likely for taxing purposes, and yet it was used by God for the prophecy of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) to come true. This reminds us that God controls the world, times and places for His will to be done.
Joseph and Mary were both from the line of David, fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies about the lineage of the Messiah (Jer. 33:15). Their world was turned upside-down, full of unknowns, with dire circumstances surrounding the birth and protection of this God child. This shows us that when we do God’s will, we are not guaranteed comfort and convenience, but are given all we need each day to live by faith, trusting that God is in charge.
I pray that we take time this season to ponder all these things.
Jerilyn Bayer
Pray
- For those who need to be encouraged in heart and united in love.
- Pray through the prayer page in the bulletin.
- Pray for Pastor Dan, our Lead Team Pastor and his family.
- Pray for our Lead Team Pastor Intern, Robyn Crown.
- Pray for our Hospitality Coordinator, Irene Dickau.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.