Daily Prayer 12/12/07

Luke 2:1-7 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Father as we are preparing for Christmas, we see at the beginning of the story a chain of events that must have been very displeasing to Joseph. The government was making him take his very pregnant wife on a long journey by donkey 70 miles through mountainous terrain to register in this census that was the first to occur every fourteen years.

Now Father history tells us this was mainly to register Jews that were previously forbidden to serve in the Roman army. History tells us about the event and even about Caius Octavius who was called Cesar Augustus. We know he took full power in 31 B.C. This is not so long ago that it could be called a "story". This like all of scripture is very factual. This is not the Christmas "story" in a sense of fiction....help us to focus on the reality of the events that happened as we are about to see in Luke 2.

Father I also want us to see how this unpleasant event was necessary. Joseph's obedience to the government and he may have even grumbled all the way back to Bethlehem. It had to happened and as You use the events of our lives every day for Your purposes, You also used this event for an amazing purpose! You fulfilled the prophecy of scripture! Mica 5:2 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, {Too} little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."

Also important Lord that You tell us here that Jesus was Mary's FIRST born. In scripture You show us she had other children. (while some teach otherwise) We know from scripture Jesus had both brothers and sisters....natural not cousins or adopted as the early church fathers suspected...(see Matthew 12:46, 13:55, Mark 6:3)

Let us take away this,

1) All events are according to Your will and to fulfill Your purposes.

2) Jesus was not of a human father but from You God the Father, so the tainting of sin is not in Him as You planted Him in Mary's womb. This virgin birth is essential to our faith or there is no payment for our sins.


Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me for not lifting You up and giving You more praise and honor and worship. In a world that uses the word "God" a lot I pray that my worship of YOU as my Lord and my God would help show the difference. You are God who became flesh and fulfilled the prophecies of the scriptures. You took our sin and died our death, You suffered on our behalf, You died our death and You were buried cold and dead. Then just as You laid Your life down for us, You suddenly took a breath again on the third day and You took up Your life again. Power over life and power over death. You are all we need Lord! All the forgiveness and power and life is in You! Let us rest in that.

For Thaddeus we pray that things continue to go well. I really focus the prayers on his aorta Lord. Like a laser beam, my mind can just imagine that little tiny spot just a bit tighter that the rest of the aorta. Lord we focus our prayers on that spot and pray You would heal it.

For Samuel and His great outreach....You have protected him and his group even in areas expected to be hostile to the Gospel. May the truth of guilt before a Holy God break down the prideful and make them guilty just like the "untouchable" Dalit. We are all untouchable by a Holy God! We will all die alike.... But Christ comes to us and loves the unlovable and heals the one who is unclean with sin. In HIM we are truly clean and holy. Prepare hearts for salvation Lord, give them faith to believe! May the ones You have chosen hear the call of the Gospel and come quickly. Protect them from the ones who are haters of God.

For Jill I pray for her health.

For our ice problems, keep those without electricity warm.

For my boss at work, You know his prayers for our business. Help us as managers to do what is necessary to make it happen. We even lay our careers and job performance at Your feet.

For the salvation of the elect and the quick return of Christ I pray, Amen.