Description

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

Luke 2:1

Shortly before Mary gave birth to Jesus she and Joseph embarked on an arduous journey to Bethlehem. There were two pressing reasons why they travelled so late in the pregnancy. The first was that everyone was required by Roman decree to register for the census. The second, and more important, reason took place 700 years before the birth of Jesus, when the Old Testament prophet Micah foretold that Jesus would be born in the little town of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem, with a normal population of around 600, was bursting at the seams. Families reunited in overfilled homes and on the streets as relatives converged for the census. The bustling town was completely unaware of what was about to transpire once the weary soon-to-be parents finally arrived. The birth there of Jesus, the Messiah, would forever change the entire world.

Consider

• The whirl of people and activities in Bethlehem caused most to miss the unfolding miracle. If your Christmas feels like a whirl of people and activities, too, ask God to help you focus on the gift of Jesus during this season.
• What have you discovered about God and yourself in this Christmas season? Write a prayer to God to share what you’ve learned and how it will impact your life going forward.

This advent devotional was produced by:

• Willamette Christian Church - willamette.cc
• Hope City Church - hopecitypdx.com
• Beaverton Christian Church - beaverton.cc

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