And It Came To Pass

“And it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.” Luke 2:1

It didn’t just happen. Or happen to happen. “It came to pass…” because of a Divine decree. A heavenly desire that at that exact time in that exact place, God would step into our world as one of us –- and all of Him. We can’t start to comprehend how it happened, but we should never stop celebrating that it happened.

Big reasons for rejoicing abound, but God is also in the details. Don’t miss Him. Every facet of His coming sparkles with God’s sovereignty. Every ingredient of Advent is a delicious reminder of His dominion. Caesar Augustus may have been king, but God was in charge.

He caused Caesar to call for a census. Rome used it for tax reform. God used it for town relocation. King David had been born Bethlehem, and King Jesus would be too. The prophet Micah proclaimed the promise centuries earlier. “But you, Bethlehem, although you are small among the villages of Judah, out of you will come one who will be ruler over all Israel…”

Only a command from a higher power would motivate a pregnant Mary and a protective Joseph to move the 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. So, at the will of the Highest, “it came to pass…”

“And so it was that while they were there, she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.”

And so it came to pass.


Time for a Little R&R
RECOGNIZE
Reflect on the events of your life during the past month.
Where do you see God in the details?

RESPOND
This Christmas, praise God for His power and for His presence in your life.
He’s still causing things to come to pass.