The Government & the Christmas Story

"Have you heard? This corrupt government, once again, is weilding their ungodly power, for their own gain. This will impact our incomes, our livelihood, our freedom. What should we do?"

A conversation in the church lobby this week about taxes or religious freedoms? No. The likely response that people in the first century would have had to the announcement that the Romans were taking a census. Everyone had to report to the town of their lineage. 

Some had to make long journeys, losing that time from earning an income, paying for food, protection, lodging along the way. Others, who still lived in the city of their ancestors, would have been required, by mid eastern hospitality customs, to host many, many relatives. (And you think your house is full at Christmas!). A handful of people would have benefitted: the caravan owners, the tax collectors. But this census would cost the average citizen dearly.

I imagine many asking "God, where are you?" in the midst of multiple days of travel or the noisy interruption of guests. 

And of course...God was in the middle of it all, orchestrating the choas, so a prophecy would be fulfilled: the Messiah being born in a town called Bethlehem.

The next time you and I wonder where God is in the midst of a world that seems out of control, we can remember this story. Rather than being angry, frustrated, or afraid, we can ask, "God, what are you up to?"  

Perhaps what we will see is God is at work, bringing salvation to the world.