In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. - Luke 2:1, 4-5
Dear Heavenly Father,
The prophecy in Micah had said that your Son would be born in Bethlehem and yet your chosen couple was in Nazareth. It's fascinating to me that you used the high and mighty Caesar to move them to Bethlehem by upsetting the entire Roman world with a census. I wonder in my heart how many world events and government decisions are driven by your plans to move your people around and spread your salvation to more souls. Public events are not just public events. Many are heaven's private plan being enforced on earth. I'm learning to trust you with how you guide my country and state in your providence instead of judging events based on political and social reasoning. Your Christmas gospel reminds me that you have eternal purposes for people behind everything you guide or allow. It gives me peace and keeps me centered in you through every circumstance. Your providence fulfilled Scripture in having Jesus born in Bethlehem. Your providence will fulfill your spiritual purposes for me and everyone else. Thanks for being God of everything in my life with grace.
Pastor Don Patterson
God's good and gracious plan is behind every decision that he allows to affect our lives.