December 21, 2004
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
-Luke 2:1-3
It is truly remarkable that the details surrounding Jesus’ birth were recorded in conjunction with infamous world events such as those in the time and census of Caesar Augustus. The census is not just one instance of a recorded period during that time, but it also mentions that the census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
Wow! All events were recorded and very well-known according to the census. This period of time can be proved through historical documents, writings of Josephus, and other logs. But it is interesting that people today consider the story of the birth of Jesus a fairy tale or legend. Let me ask you…why would it be documented against some of the most accurate recorded events in world history?
There was an article that was recently published about the banning of Christmas colors, decorations, or anything that had to do with the birth of Jesus on this holiday in public schools. Has our society become so engulfed in sugar-coating the holiday to keep content all cultures and religions, that we’ve totally lost sight of the true meaning?
Unfortunately, in our society we say, “Glory to man in the highest.” And because we do not give glory to God for the birth of His Son, we do not know true peace. And there will never be peace in our hearts and world until the Prince of Peace, who was born in a stable among cattle and ordinary people, is enthroned.
Jesus brought peace at His birth. The very setting in the stable is a serene and beautiful picture of what true peace is. A little baby silently crying, and yet in His birth the possibility of peace now exists, simply because of who He is!
This season, among all the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and parties and traditions, stop and read carefully through Luke 2 about the birth of Christ. Imagine yourself in their day and what it would’ve been like to look upon the face of God as a babe in a manger. Let’s not let the world take away what the true meaning of Christmas is—that the Lord Jesus was born into this world as a man, lived, taught, loved, and was hung upon a cross to die for every one of our sins. That, my friend, is the TRUE meaning of Christmas!
THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IS NOT IN THE LIGHTS, PRESENTS,
OR HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS—IT IS IN THE CELEBRATION OF OUR
SAVIOR’S BIRTH.