In Those Days

For generations, it seemed as if God had forgotten His people. Due to their sinful ways and continuous rebellion, Israel had been taken captive and scattered. Some returned to Jerusalem and the surrounding region, even as they suffered under rule of many foreign powers. Over time, the temple was restored and worship took place, but as the years turned into decades and turned into centuries, God appeared silent.

In the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, God breaks through the silence to announce to Zechariah the coming birth of his son, John (Luke 1:5-25). Shortly thereafter, Mary is visited and told of her role in the story (Luke 1:26-38). One can only imagine the confusion, excitement, and anxiety that must have filled the lives of all those involved. The Jewish people had waited so long for the restoration and the arrival of the Messiah, and finally the time is at hand.

The beginning of chapter 2 can in some ways feel very mundane. Why does Luke choose to include these details? The author is describing the arrival of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, who would become savior of the world, so what does Rome have to do with this? Why should we concern ourselves with the governor of Syria? What is the point of understanding that there was a census to take place?

Luke includes this note in order to explain why Mary and Joseph did not remain at home for the birth—in a narrative term, it is exposition. The prophecies foretold of the Messiah coming from Bethlehem, and the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem reinforces His role as a king in the line of David (Matthew 2:5-6, Micah 5:2, Ezekial 34:23). Indeed, we read how Joseph is from the line of David, which further establishes Jesus’ earthly lineage.

On a very practical level, though, these verses act as a timestamp. For the reader, we see that there was a specific moment in time that God chose to bring about the salvation of the world. Christ’s arrival was not something of mythology, and it was not some type of spiritual awakening that we can tap into whenever we want. God has His own timing, and even though we may be waiting for years like the Jewish people, God will act when He chooses to act, and when He chooses to act is always at the right time.

As we prepare our hearts for this advent season, let us recognize that God continues to act at specific moments for specific purposes. We may not understand His timing, and we may not like

His timing, but we must yield to His will because His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

Prayer

Father, I thank You for the privilege of hearing this Christmas story once again. Over the course of these days, help us to imagine ourselves in the place of those who experienced them firsthand. Thank You for their example, and thank You for choosing to use them to accomplish Your purposes.

We confess that Your timing often frustrates my plans. I allow pride, a sense of control, or a spirit of rebellion to drive me away from You and seek to live life my own way. Yet I recognize that Your ways are higher than we can imagine, and Your timing is always perfect. I do not know what will come next, but I trust that You do, and in your good timing, You will align everything that needs to happen to accomplish Your purposes. Father, please help me to be a part of those purposes and to be willing servants to declare your glory to the nations.

Amen.