Author: Rob Collins

Day 25- Glory to God In The Highest and On Earth Peace, Goodwill Toward Mankind 

Luke chapter two verse seven finalizes the reality of this miraculous conception and the divine birth of Jesus. It says, “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the Inn.”

I will conclude in just a minute by looking at the shepherds living out in the field keeping watch over their flock and the angel appearing to them and the angelic host singing, “Glory to God in the Highest.” But for now I want to focus on the ending words of verse seven of Luke chapter two. Here they are: “There was no room for Him.” 

We have been on quite a journey leading up this twenty fifth day, nonetheless, my question to you is how can you make room for Him now? We prepare for the holiday season of Christmas. We buy food, host parties, send cards, we decorate our homes and we buy presents and wrap them, but do we make room for Jesus in our homes, our hearts, and in our busy lives? 

Jesus came so that we would know Him and so that He could live in our hearts. His desire is to have a relationship with you. I don’t know where you are in your journey, but I want you to know that He came for you. He is Emmanuel—God with us! I don’t know what this means for you, or what this looks like for you, but I encourage you to make room for Him in your life—He is a gift that has been given—to be received.

Now back to the story. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Mary, Joseph, Zacharias and now the shepherds. God was getting His message of this divine birth out to those who would receive it, and to those who would have probably been the most least likely candidates. You see, He has a way of using the most ordinary people and the most common things in order to accomplish the most extraordinary and divine manifestations.

Now the angel is appearing to the shepherds and says, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12 NKJV)

Then Luke tells us that there was a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” And when the angel had gone they said, “Let us go see what the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.

Take Away: The shepherds made known what they had seen, but Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. However, God had done what He had promised—He became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory full of grace and truth. The silence that had lasted for around five-hundred years was now broken with the sound of the angels and heavenly host singing, “Glory to God in the Highest”—as they sang praise to almighty God for what He had done. He came to save us! His name shall be called Jesus for He will save His people from their sin. He is Emanuel God with us—Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill toward mankind—Merry Christmas!!!

Day 24- The Birth of Jesus

Luke chapter two is the announcement of Christ’s birth and verses one through seven are probably the most popular text that is used when reading the story of Christ’s miraculous and divine birth. 

Nevertheless, Luke starts out his story of Jesus birth by meticulously establishing and explaining the historical context that surrounds the birth of Christ, relating it to the events in the Roman Empire.

Caesar Augustus was emperor of Rome from 30 B.C. Until A.D. 14 and Quirinius was the governor of Syria 10–7 B.C. and later served a second term during A.D. 6–9. This was the political backdrop and the picture that Luke was trying to capture in these verses.

Caesar was emperor and Quirinius was governor and there was a census taking place that was for the purpose of taxation. However, there was also a prophetic undertone that was being played out as well in these verses.

Luke tells us that Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. Notice that Luke mentions again the fact that David and the city of David are indeed prophetically and divinely connected with the birth of Jesus. 

This was prophesied some four-hundred years ago and now it’s about to take place. And to start it off, Joseph was going back to his hometown to be registered with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child. 

And so it was, that while they were there the days were completed for her to be delivered. Nevertheless, before we go on, I want you to see the timing of God in all of this. I also want you to see the circumstances of uncertainty and the events of inconvenience that took place in these stories that surrounds the birth of Jesus. However, I also want you to understand that the hand of God was in it all.

As I mentioned, inconvenience and uncertainty is seen throughout these stories. For example, with Zacharias and Elizabeth, their prayers were unanswered for years and Zacharias couldn’t speak for nine months. And what about Mary and Joseph? They had experienced first hand, the frustration and tension of trusting one another in regard to this miraculous conception. 

And, there’s no doubt that they encountered some humiliation and embarrassment that came from the speculation and disbelief surrounding her pregnancy. There would have also been assumptions and doubts for everyone involved—including themselves.

And now to top is all off, Mary was pregnant and had to travel by donkey back to Bethlehem. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was approximately seventy miles. Therefore, it could have taken them around four days to make this journey. Remember, Mary is nine months pregnant and was inevitably now riding on the back of a donkey.

And, in spite of all these less than desirable circumstances that surrounded them—they were obedient and faithful and God’s plan was fulfilled through them. Zacharias and Elizabeth and Mary and Joseph were obedient, steadfast, and faithful. And through them, God fulfilled His divine plan of bringing humankind a way back to Himself through Jesus—by grace through faith. For unto us a Child was born.

Take Away: God’s timing was seen through it all and the sequence of events that follow are not an accident or coincidence: The timing of John being born at the same time as Jesus was born. Mary being betrothed to Joseph and Joseph being from Bethlehem where it prophesied that Jesus would be born. The decree for a census at the same time that Mary would deliver the promised child—who would be, the Savior of the world. 

God’s timing was impeccable! It was divinely guiding every twist, turn and sequence of these stories. And, if He did it for them—He will do it for you! He sees every detail of your life and he cares about you. I want to know today, that like the great Charles Spurgeon once said, “When you can’t trace the hand of God, you can trust His heart.” 

When it comes to the timing of God—you can trust His heart! He sees you, He knows you, and He is working all things for your good. And talk about the timing of God! Mary and Joseph were safely in Bethlehem for the census and the time had now come for her to deliver and Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the Inn.