Same Christmas, Different Rules

We’ve had some new rules this year. Many governors across the United States have issued decrees, mandates, and executive orders left and right as a response to COVID-19. Many Americans feel these orders infringe upon freedoms and many still recognize that none of them have been legislated laws. Face masks have all but become the norm over the last nine months, and we no longer leave the house without making sure that we have a face mask with us. Over two thousand years ago, when a young girl named Mary was about to have a baby, a decree was issued that inconvenienced her normal day-to-day life as well. 

“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)” (Luke 2:1-2)

We don’t read about the Jewish people rioting because their rights were being violated and their freedoms infringed upon—no. We read that there were peacefully obedient.

“All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.” (Luke 2:3) 

We’ve often discussed our obligation to obey those in authority and examined the Scriptures that teach this (Romans 13:1-5, Titus 3:1, 2 Peter 2:13-15) and we see this done by God’s people in the face of this new decree. Even though this census was inconvenient, especially for Joseph and Mary, they still obeyed those who were in authority. What came of their obedience?

“And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.” (Luke 2:4)

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” (Micah 5:2)

Scripture is fulfilled and the Savior was born of the house of David in Bethlehem. God used the inconvenient decree and Joseph’s obedience to it, to usher in a fulfillment of Scripture. The decrees issued down to us from the powers of this world may be unfair, oppressive, and unlawful, but they will not stop God’s plan. What might God do with your obedience? God has a purpose and it will be fulfilled all the easier in our lives when we live lives of obedience. These new rules might make Christmas look and even feel a bit different this year, but remember, while we may have different rules, it’s still the same Christmas.  

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed