LUKE 2:1-3

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

TO PONDER

You may or may not be aware of this but Luke, the gospel writer, is believed to be a doctor and historian. And I love that this is how he begins the narrative of the birth of Jesus. I love it because it is very 'historian'.

Luke is careful to accurately place the birth of Jesus in its correct historical context. Important events were often recorded along with the names of the ruling monarch or emperors at the time, and an empire wide event such as a census would have well documented accounts of who was where during the time of the census.

This is the level of planning and detail that blows my mind when I think of God's plan to send Jesus to humanity. He planned to do it at a time when there would be good, reliable historical records to verify the accounts that his people would record and which would later become part of Scripture.

There are still some people who fail to recognise the historical evidence for the person Jesus. However, more and more people when actually supplied with the historical evidence for the existence of Jesus are finding they have to at least accept that he was a real historical figure. Which leads me to the main thought I want to leave you with today.

The people you know, the people you encounter regularly throughout your week, they may or may not believe Jesus ever existed. They may or may not believe that he was the Son of God. The evidence God is providing them is you. You are a real, physical presence in these people's lives and they cannot deny your existence, or the way you live or the choices you make. So how is your life leaving evidence that Jesus makes a difference?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you leave us so much evidence of your existence. Whether we see it in your creation or encounter it in your word or even in the accounts of history, your fingerprints are there for us to see. As I prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus again this year, may my celebrations, my relationships, and my presence among my friends, family, and neighbours also be evidence of your life transforming love and grace. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle