O Little Town of Bethlehem

. . .Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken. . . So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth. . . to Bethlehem. . . He went. . .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. -Luke 2:1, 4-6
 
  "Augustus Caesar was ruling, but God was in charge, for He used Caesar's edict to move Mary and Joseph eighty miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill His Word." (Warren Wiersbe) Mary and Joseph had accepted God's plan for their lives and they were now a part of God's prophecy concerning the Messiah. 
It is interesting to note that Bethlehem means "house of bread", the ideal birthplace for the Bread of Life (John 6:35). (Warren Wiersbe)
This part of the Christmas story reminds me that God is indeed in control of all things. When the world seems to be spiraling out of control; we are reminded here that God has a plan. It is also encouraging to see how boldly both Joseph and Mary followed God's will for their lives.
 I hope to show the same faith by boldly going wherever the Lord may lead.

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