Outwardly the world appeared to be ruled by Caesar Augustus and Rome. So, when the Roman ruler decided to take a census, everyone had to comply. Even though Mary was full term in her pregnancy, she and Joseph had to travel to Joseph's hometown of Bethlehem. There were no exceptions. Suddenly the time came for the baby to be born. It might seem like everything was ruled by worldly powers or happenstance, but this was God's doing, according to his promise. Jesus came to be born in this world and in this way. The world had no room for him. This all happened by God's sovereign will. He is the ruler of all.

The birth of the baby was announced to hard working shepherds as they tended their flocks. A host of angels appeared to them from heaven. They were terrified, but it was to these shepherds that the Lord made his glory known. The Savior of the world had come as a baby lying in a manger. He is glory to God and peace to men. He comes to lift us out of the rule of a cruel world to have peace and joy. He is the Savior born to us. He is good news from God.


Application: Lord, thank you for sending Jesus as a baby in a manger. Bless me with his peace and joy today.
One Word: Jesus is good news