A Humble Beginning

Luke 2:1-5
1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 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. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

Ever feel insignificant? I think the less interaction we have with others in our community, at work, and at church the more we feel a connection. Connection with others is one of the main ways people move from insignificant to significant in their perspective about themselves.

I come from a humble background. Having spent about half my years growing up in a mobile home, we were not a family with many things. I am not disparaging mobile homes nor the families that live in them, but I’m stating that this was my humble beginning.

Jesus had a humble beginning. It started when Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem for a census because Caesar Augustus demanded it. At first glance, it appears that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem because it was demanded. But this was God’s plan. Yes, there are rulers in this world, and in our day we have a President. But the United States President is not in control of my life nor is he in control of yours.

God controls our lives. God controls all history. By Emperor Augustus' decree did Joseph and Mary find themselves traveling to Bethlehem so that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem where prophecy had foretold his birth would take place.

Remember that no matter who you were born to or where you come from, you are significant. Also, realize that dwelling in God’s will and following Jesus often requires us to move out of our comfort zones. Both Mary and Joseph had to make the trek to Bethlehem and found the birth of their son occurring in a manger.

Triple D: You are significant and to follow in God’s will we most often have to embrace a long and at times painfully humbling journey. Had your journey this past year been humbling? In what way?