Day 7: A moving message

Today’s scripture: Luke 2:1-7 (NIV) 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 his 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 child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Roman census was issued for conscription into the military and for tax purposes. The Jews of the area did not have to become soldiers, but they did have to pay taxes. Joseph and Mary would travel the 96 miles by donkey from their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, because Joseph was in the house of David and his registration would take place there. Only the man in the household was required to register; Mary did not need to make the rocky journey through the mountainous region, but some scholars believe she went to hide her pregnancy from the community and the ensuing scrutiny it would have brought.

Caesar Augustus’ greed fit right into God’s plan and timing. Prophesy told of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Even though Mary was pregnant, she had to go with her husband. Because of the rough terrain, the journey would have taken about 10 days, because they would not have been able to travel fast because of Mary’s condition. Undoubtedly, the rough ride hastened the birth.

While the Jews were waiting for a Messiah that would conquer their Roman oppressors, God had other plans. Jesus would be a common man, a carpenter’s son, but still of the house of David (e.g. Isaiah 11:1). Because many people were in Bethlehem to register, there was no place for them to stay. Though tradition tells of the baby being born in a cave, most likely Jesus was born in the back end of a house, where the stable would have been attached. Hence, the numerous animals shown in manger scenes. Winters were cold in Judea, and barns were generally attached to the house to keep the livestock warm, so the birth probably actually took place in the spring. The manger most likely was carved out of the rock and was a feeding or water trough.

Some interpretations say that Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes, a Jewish tradition to give a sense of security and warmth to babies. No silk, no pomp, no circumstance: Just a crying baby. The home of someone who felt sorry for the young marrieds would have been dark and dirty, just as the world around them was. The Bible often uses vivid imagery to tell stories, which is why Jesus was not born in a clean, well-lit hospital. No matter what our surroundings are, God can use them for his will. Don’t look at your surroundings and think that God couldn’t possibly be doing something great in such a dreary place.

Did you know: The song says, "On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 7 Swans A-swimming ..." which signifies the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.

To view a link to “Away in a Manger,” go to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOJb6uOF05Q