The Advent in Bethlehem - Luke 2:1–7

     This text is probably used more at Christmas than any other Biblical text. It reports the details of the birth of Christ.

The Decree for the Advent (Luke 2:1–3)
     Associated with and very important to the birth of Christ was a decree given to register all the people in the Roman Empire which included Palestine.
     The perpetrator of the decree. “There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus [Augustus was his title, not part of his name]” (Luke 2:1). This man was the Roman Emperor for forty-five years from 31 B.C. to 14 A.D. His entire name was Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. He was a proud and arrogant person.
     The purpose of the decree. “That all the world should be taxed” (Luke 2:1). The meaning of the word translated “taxed” is “to register or enter in a list” (Vincent). “It was a census, not a taxing, though taxing generally followed and was based on the census” (Robertson).
     The perimeter of the decree. “All the world” (Luke 2:1). This term was limited to the Roman empire which included Palestine. The Roman empire included a vast number of people but the Bible focuses on the two most important people regarding the decree, namely, Joseph and Mary.
     The period of the decree. “And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius [Quirinius as some call him] was governor of Syria.” (Luke 2:2). “Cyrenius” was another time reference given by Luke of the four Gospels. The reference was especially applicable inasmuch as Syria included Palestine at that time.
     The providence of the decree. “It came to pass in those days … all went to be taxed [registered], every one into his own city” (Luke 2:1,3). The prophets predicted Christ would be born in “Bethlehem” (Micah 5:2). Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth. Thus the providence in the decree is in the fact that it caused Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem at the time when she would give birth and thus fulfill prophecy.
The Dislodgement for the Advent (Luke 2:3–5)
     The decree by Caesar Augustus to register all the people in his kingdom caused a great dislodgement of people.
     The cause of the dislodgement. “All went to be taxed, everyone into his own city” (Luke 2:3). The decree by Caesar required that people go to their native city or town to take care of the registering or census matter. This caused a great dislodgement of people in the empire because, as is often common in every age, many of the people in the Roman empire did not live in their native towns or cities but had moved far from them.
     The couple in the dislodgement. “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David to be taxed [registered] with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child” (Luke 2:4,5). Scripture focuses on what is important to God. Man would think that Caesar was the important one in this decree, but he was only given a supporting role in this great event of the birth of Jesus Christ. He was not the main actor! Joseph and Mary were more important to God in this decree than the ruler who made the decree.
     First, the compliance of the couple. “Joseph also went up from Galilee … [unto] Bethlehem” (Luke 2:4). Joseph and Mary were law-abiding citizens. Scripture exhorts us to obey the laws of the land. This, of course, does not mean we must do evil to obey. But it is a mark of righteousness to obey the laws even if they cause inconvenience.
     Second, the city of the couple. “Went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, in Judea, unto … Bethlehem” (Luke 2:4). This was a trip of approximately seventy-five miles. The trip had to be made on foot or on an animal (Mary doubtless rode on a donkey). Furthermore Bethlehem was higher than Nazareth which meant a lot of up hill for the journey. This would only add to the physical difficulty of the trip.
     Third, the clan of the couple. “Joseph … [and also Mary] was of the house and lineage of David” (Luke 2:4). This notation in Scripture is very important, for it helps to support the pedigree of Jesus Christ as the only one Who could claim the throne of Israel and be Israel’s Messiah.
     Fourth, the companionship of the couple. “With Mary his espoused wife” (Luke 2:5). “Espoused wife” notes the unique relationship between Joseph and Mary. This relationship was necessary because of the conception and birth of Christ. However, it would bring a great stigma to them (cp. John 8:41). Heavenly honors are not exempt from earthly shame.
     Fifth, the concern of the couple. “Mary … being great with child” (Luke 2:5). The couple would be very concerned about Mary’s pregnancy because it was nearing its end, and a long hard trip offered much peril for her pregnancy. Satan would like to use the trip to cause the birth before they got to Bethlehem and even to cause the death of the child. But God was in all of this, and the pregnancy survived the trip, and Christ was born in Bethlehem as Scripture predicted. It will always be a mystery as to why Joseph and Mary did not perceive the need of moving earlier to Bethlehem for the birth. Did they not know the prophetic Scripture in Micah 5:2? Whatever the case, God saw to it that they were in Bethlehem when birth occurred.