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Luke 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
No breaks. The decree could not have come at a more difficult time. Mary was in the last days of her pregnancy. The eighty-mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem over rough terrain was challenging to say the least. They arrived just in time.
No room. Joseph and Mary were not the only ones who made the journey in order to be registered. The city was swarming with people. Every possible place to sleep was taken. They settled for a barn.
No advantages. Jesus was born in a little village to an unwed mother from a backwoods town and placed in a feeding bin. The word was out that he was an illegitimate child. Not quite the start you’d expect for a king.
God tiptoed quietly into humanity. The Creator in a cradle. The Wonderful Counselor wrapped in cloths. The Mighty God was placed in a manger. The Everlasting Father in the flesh. The Prince of Peace into a world of sin. But Jesus came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. On the cross, he paid sin’s penalty. He bought us back from sin’s slavery. He freed us from sin’s prison.
Here’s the question: Have you trusted in Jesus Christ alone as the Lamb of God who paid the penalty for your sin? Have you trusted in Jesus as the only One who can place you into an eternal relationship with God? You can’t save yourself. Only Jesus can save you. Trust him completely to take you through this life and one day carry you home.
Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus! Today I trust in him alone as the only way to have a relationship with you. Please forgive my sins and accept me as your child. I desire to be a follower of Jesus. In his name, I pray. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, please let me know at ronmoore@ronmoore.org.
I wanted to share with you, thank you so much for blessings me every morning.
I look forward to your devotional when I get up. I get up early to pray.
Blessings to you and your family this Holiday season.
Much Love, a sister in Jeses
Linda