Day 20 – Caesar sends a decree.
Luke 2:1-3
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
Caesar Augustus (Octavius) was heir to Julius Caesar, who died in 44 BC. Octavius defeated Marc Antony in the famous Roman battle in 30 BC and became Rome’s first emperor. He was given the title Augustus.
At this particular time in history, from 30 BC to AD, the Roman empire extended further than ever before or since. Rome dominated the world. Daniel’s prophecy of the third kingdom out of four major kingdoms had come true with Rome. The fourth and final major kingdom was to be a kingdom with no end.
There was also universal peace in the land during this time – no wars or conflicts. It was the perfect time for Caesar to order his people to be registered so he could have a record. And it was the perfect time for the Messiah to be born, the Prince of Peace and Kingdom with no end.
May you seek the true Peace on Earth this Christmas, Jesus Christ, who came as a Savior for the entire world. For anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
* Merry Christmas *
A Christmas Story Devotional: 31 Days of the Christmas Story from Genesis to John
Follow along for the 31 days of December and experience a new and exciting appreciation for the ancient Christmas story we celebrate today. The story of Jesus and the meaning behind the celebration of Christmas is woven throughout the entire Bible – from the beginning of mankind in Genesis to the resurrection of Jesus as told by the apostle John some 4000 years later.
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