Until the Day Dawns
The second candle of Advent is the Bethlehem candle. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of David, the city of the King, just as Micah prophesied:
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)
But who God used to fulfill this prophecy is nothing short of miraculous, and frankly, funny. Luke 2:1 tells us:
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.”
Octavian, who became Caesar Augustus, which was a title inferring his divinity, was simply doing what Caesar’s do - he was looking to fill Rome’s coffers with more money. So, he registered his subjects in Palestine to be sure they were accounted for and that they were paying their taxes.
Had it not been for Caesar’s decree, Jesus would have never been born in Bethlehem.
Nazareth is approximately one hundred miles or one hundred and sixty kilometers from Bethlehem, about a five-day journey for Joseph and his very pregnant wife, Mary. Many people have asked why Joseph took Mary with him to Nazareth. He didn’t have to, so why?
I’m speculating, but a couple of possible reasons come to mind.
First, the scandal of Mary’s pregnancy was well-known in the community. Nazareth was a small town, and a lot of the residents were related. Everybody knew everybody else’s business. I don’t think Joseph wanted to risk leaving Mary behind in that kind of environment.
Another possible reason is that Joseph had received an angelic visitation enlightening him to the divine nature of Mary’s pregnancy. Remember, he was planning on discreetly breaking off the betrothal. But I think after that visit, he took Mary not only to be his wife, but he committed himself to her and the child she would bear. He wasn’t about to let this mother and her unborn child out of his sight.
But what stands out to me is the fact that, again, the birth of Jesus would have never taken place in Bethlehem had Augustus Caesar issued his edict, forcing Joseph to journey Bethlehem where his lineage was traced and where he was required to register as a taxpayer.
Is it any wonder that in Psalm 2, which is a Messianic psalm, we read these words -
Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
“Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them. (Ps. 2:1-4)
The idea of God chuckling to himself in heaven is amusing. It is also the way the psalmist is communicating to us that God and God alone is the sovereign and king of the earth. By the way, the picture of God laughing is what is known as anthropomorphism, the attribution of human characteristics to a divine being. It’s not really meant to be taken literally. It’s just the psalmist’s way of saying that God is always in control.
But it doesn’t seem that way sometimes, does it? I look at our world, the division, the wars, the aggression, the injustice, and I just shake my head and grieve. Where is peace, real peace? To bring things even closer to home, most of us have experienced times when we couldn’t help but wonder and maybe even ask out loud, “Where are you, God?”
But for me, that’s why lighting these Advent candles and contemplating the passages of Scripture connected with them is so important. “We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
When all is said and done, when the sand in history’s hourglass runs out, we will see what is now just a small light in the darkness become bright as day. That’s what Peter tells us, and I leave you with his words today:
“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19)
Until the Day Dawns,
Dan
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