What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice
The Christmas counsel of the ungodly is to mock at Luke chapter 2, but the believer, by definition, believes every precious word. The way of sinners is to reject the great price paid for their sin, the Christ child born to die, but the born-again know well the substitution that was made. The scornful call it fable but the Christian studies every detail of these miraculous provisions for the birth of the Only Begotten Son of God. One can research “that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed,” the record is clear. Each province went on a schedule for this census and tax, and all had to stay in their birth city for as much as 3 months until bureaucrats got their paperwork straight. God's provision happened to bring Mary and Joesph to Bethlehem, the Bible says, “And so it was, that while they were there...” God is good. God's provision was that his Only Begotten be born in a barn and laid in a manger, the plan unfolds with one little clause, “because there was not room for them in the inn.” God is very good. Just before Passover, during lambing season, shepherds would be “abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Rome speculated Noel was on their miscalculated Sun god's longest night.) Right after the shepherds adoration the Bible records, “when the eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS.” And when the days of HER purification were accomplished they brought him to Jerusalem (the NIV “scholars” said it included HIS purification... infidels). Baby Jesus just missed the wise men in Jerusalem, heads back to Bethlehem, then to Egypt, then Nazareth. All in God's providence. Praise His Name.
An Essay for week #51 12/21/2014
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