Christian Reflection and Prayer

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that
all the world should be registered (Luke 2:1).
Read Luke 2:1-5.

 

Every year I take my family across three states to spend
Christmas with my brothers and their families in Ohio. It's a
long trip, but we thoroughly enjoy it, reaching our
destination the same day. My father once told me of a
Christmas he spent traveling by train from California to
Ohio on leave from the Navy.

 

As we remember the birth of God's Son, we recall another
long and difficult Christmas journey. That journey was set
in motion by a command from the Roman emperor. But
standing behind the mightiest man in the world -- Caesar
Augustus -- stood God, the ultimate Ruler, moving His
Son's chosen mother to the exact place were long ago He
had announced His Son would be born. In Micah 5:2 we
read, "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little
to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth
for Me One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth
is from of old, from ancient days."

 

In another 30 years a Roman military governor will pass a
judgment of his own, commanding this same Jesus to
carry His cross on a journey to Mt. Calvary to be crucified.
God stood behind that decision too, laying our guilt and
sins on His own Son, who made that most difficult of
journeys so that we could be forgiven and live with Him
forever.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for taking up Your cross and
making that long journey to Mt. Calvary, where You set
me free from sin, guilt, death and hell. Fill me with joy
and patience no matter where I may travel this
Christmastime. Amen.

(Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries)