Christmas is this Saturday. Can you believe it?
The hands on the clock definitely speed up as you get older. It doesn’t seem like it was all that long ago that we were mapping out our plan for 2010, and now here we are, 2010 practically finished and 2011 upon us. I know it won’t be much longer before we’re talking about 2012 and our plans for it.
I do want to pause for a moment, however, to remind you about something that happened 2,000 years ago.
A baby was born in a stable in an insignificant province of the Roman Empire.
The Roman Empire was—and by many standards, still is considered—the mightiest empire in the history of human civilization. Its impact on human history—from its infrastructure to its military and even its government—have been subject of book after book down through the centuries. And yet, for all the power of the emperor ruling over Rome, Caesar Augustus is perhaps remembered most often not for anything he did as emperor, but for something that happened during his reign.
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, ‘Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.’
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:1-16 (KJV)
I know it’s customary to read and talk about the story of the first Christmas on Christmas Day (or at least on Christmas Eve), but it seems fitting—as we count down the days to Christmas and go about our business buying last-minute gifts and scheduling time with family—that we pause today to remember again exactly why it is that we celebrate this time of year. The birth of Jesus signaled the beginning of the end for sin’s oppression. It inaugurated hope for the entire world. It brought salvation to us—God taking on human form, ministering on earth, and dying for our sins. No wonder the angels were so excited!
I’m sure that far away in Rome, Caesar imagined the work he was doing was pretty important. Today, however, a few of us can recall information we read about Caesar in a Western Civilization or World History Class we took somewhere along the way, but hundreds of millions of us have heard about Jesus Christ and His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection.
My prayer for us this week is that we won’t get swept away with the seemingly important stuff going on around us. Whether it’s a vote cast in Washington or a burned pecan pie, none of it is as important as Jesus. Without Him, there would be no Christmas and no reason to celebrate.
Thank God we have every reason to celebrate this week—and the other 51 weeks of the year as well.
Please have a very merry and blessed Christmas Season!
