Read Luke 2:1-7
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration whenQuirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Meditate
Have you ever seen a “flash mob”? What seems to be a normal crowd suddenly breaks out in a song or dance. What are the chances that a large group of talented people just happened to be in the same place at the same time ready to perform the same piece of music?
Zero.
The “flash mob” was well-planned. Even though most people had no idea until the performance took place, there were others in the know. It was all about timing.
700 years before our passage from Luke, a prophet wrote:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.”
Micah 5:2
The Messiah was expected to be from Bethlehem. Not a problem.
Except Mary, pregnant with the Messiah, and Joseph were in Nazareth. Problem.
There was not a compelling reason to be in Bethlehem for the birth of the child. Then Ceasar Augustus decides that he needs to count all the people in his world. What a coincidence. Everyone had to go back to the city of their family origin.
So, Joseph and Mary leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem. While there, Jesus is born. Wow, that is lucky.
Coincidence? Luck?
Not really, because timing is everything. And God is the keeper of time. What appeared to be random was actually well planned.
There is a time for everything, the Preacher of Ecclesiastes tells us, and the God of time has a plan in place for you.
Be patient in the process. Timing is everything.
Pray
“Father, if you can move a nation of people around to fulfill a prophetic promise, then you can work the things in my life. I will learn to wait for your time knowing there are no coincidences. You are the God of the right time. Amen”
Contemplate
- Enjoy this holiday flash mob surprising homeowners with “O Come All Ye Faithful”. How will you bring the light of Christ to people this Christmas season?
- Now is a great time to review this past year and see God at work. At the time, you may have thought of these instances as luck or coincidence, but God was at work. Take some time today and give Him thanks.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
