Well here we are, barreling our way to Christmas 2020! What a crazy and wild ride 2020 has been and I know that I am not alone when I say “Good riddance 2020.” But before we can say goodbye to 2020, we need to celebrate Christmas. The time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is my favorite time of year!
And 2020 hasn’t disappointed in any way when it comes to our government. But I write this with tongue in cheek because, as of this writing, we are left hanging in the balance on so many things when it comes to our government. But please don’t feel like the Lone Ranger when it comes to being dazed and confused by government. Let’s read the story of the first Christmas in the Book of Luke, the 2nd chapter, “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” Now I don’t know about you, but if my wife were nine months pregnant and the government of the day told me that I needed to walk 90 miles from where she and I were living to the place where my family line began, I would tell you that you were nuts! I certainly would be upset about the whole thing. But I want you to understand that this was ordained by God. In Micah 5:2 it was prophesied: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” So, God used this seemingly terrible decree from Caesar Augustus to get Joseph from Galilee to Bethlehem. Don’t you think that He can use the circumstances in your life or in the government to accomplish His will? Be patient and allow Him to work in your life no matter what it looks like on the outside.
And speaking of government, Caesar Augustus, the most powerful man in the world (he thought) was used by God to have His will accomplished and His prophesy fulfilled. This is what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” In other words, don’t fret! God’s got this whole thing under control! So, celebrate Christmas just like you would any other year and enjoy family and friends. Leave the worrying to God.
Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to All of You!
Editor’s Note: Steve Lindsey is the pastor at the Canelo Cowboy Church in Elgin. He can be reached at 520-559-0155 or 520-455-5000