"How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2000?" This question was asked of me and many others. No, it was not part of an, "April Fool's joke," but rather was question #1 of the United States 2000 Census, form D-1. Many made comments that the census was a waste of time, inconvenient, and was no one's business; especially the government. I felt it was my American right and duty to complete the short form, which took me less than two minutes to complete and prepare for mailing.
We truly have it good compared to Joseph and Mary, the earthly parents of Jesus, who over two thousand years ago were also required to participate in a census. They, unlike myself who completed the census process at my convenience and in a matter of minutes, were required to travel approximately 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. In Luke 2:1-3 we read, "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 his own town to register."
Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary, were required to travel to Bethlehem so they could be counted. Talk about a hassle, invasion of privacy, and an inconvenience. I seriously doubt, Mary or Joseph either one thought or planned on Jesus being born in Bethlehem nine months prior when the angel Gabriel appeared to them. God had other plans; however, for several hundred years before the birth of Jesus, He had spoken a word of prophecy through the prophet Micah. In Micah 5:2 we read, "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."
I am sure Mary and Joseph would have been content to stay in Nazareth if it had not been for Ceasar Augustus and his decree. God's timing is perfect; however, and He had said that the Christ, Savior of the world, would be born in Bethlehem. Are we too on a spiritual journey to Bethlehem? Does our life seem like others are controlling our every move? Are our finances being attacked and do we feel like we are being unfairly taxed almost beyond belief? As with Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem, God will often allow circumstances to take place in our lives to cause us to be in the place where He can perform a miracle.
God will provide. Even when the inn keepers or landlords are shutting doors in our faces may we rest assured that God will provide. He directed Joseph and Mary to the inn keeper's stable and in Luke 2:4-7 we read, "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. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."
Joseph and Mary were obedient and followed the laws of the land by making the trip to Bethlehem to be counted. As a result, God even blessed them financially with gifts through strangers; i.e. the wise men. May we too reflect on the journey to Bethlehem and pause to count God's many blessings in our lives. We are truly blessed even when the laws of the land require that we too be counted, pay taxes, and fill out government forms.
May God bless you as you seek to serve Him by gladly standing up to be counted as a true disciple of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. May His love and light radiate through you as you reach out to others. Amen.
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READ -- Luke 2:1-7