Now it came about in those days....

That a decree went out from Ceasar Augustus...The most powerful man in the world needed some tax in order to pay for his army...everyone seemingly is obeying Ceasar's decree and yet Mary goes from Nazareth to Bethlehem as a result of this decree and gives birth to Jesus in the City of Bethlehem just as the Prophet Micah had foretold...and Immanuel 'God with Us' comes into the world just as Isaiah foretold and eight days after he is born at the temple Simeon says " behold this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel and for a sign to be opposed-and a sword will pierce even your own soul- Ceasar Augustus is not on the thoughts of many people's minds anymore...there is little left from his world wide dominion...but the little baby born in a barn is still changing the world. So often we have the illusion of being in control, but God orchestrates His will in the world that His son might be revealed and made known...we send out many decrees but God is the author of all that lasts and is meaningful. I pray the Christ will open my eyes to see and that the illusion of control will be lost in his come follow me.