There were two contrasting world events occurring at the same time. On the surface, it seemed like the world was controlled by Caesar Augustus. He decreed that a census to be taken of the Roman world. Everyone had to obey it - no exceptions.

On the other hand, there was a work of God going on. God was bringing his son Jesus, the Messiah, into the world. Joseph and Mary looked like a powerless, young couple. But God was fulfilling his promise of world salvation through them.

Caesar Augustus appeared momentarily in history and disappeared. He looked powerful but the one controlling history was God himself, not Caesar.

We many times look at our environment. We base our reality on what we see. But it is important to see and know that God is the living God. He is the one who is working, and he is the one who holds authority. Even back then, regardless of what was going on in the world, God was fulfilling his work of world salvation by sending his one and only son Jesus in a manger.

When we focus on what God is doing instead of only our surroundings, we can't help but praise God for his work.


Application: Thank God for sending his one and only son Jesus into the world.
One Word: See what God is doing!