Daily Advent Reading
This is our Digital Advent Calendar for 2023. We would hope you could join in daily during the season of Advent. Every day’s Advent Gift box will have a new Scripture to read and reflect on. Every Thursday there will be a Children’s Ministry Activity for you and your children. Every Tuesday there will be a question for adults to enjoy and engage on our Facebook page.
Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Devotional
Before the world had been overtaken by the Roman empire, there was the dominating force of ancient Greece. Alexander the Great was the leader who oversaw the conquest of land, the subjugation of men to serve in his military, and the learning of the language of common Greek. When the soldiers were discharged, they returned home with this new language. It was a shared tongue among various people groups. It also served as a perfect vehicle for spreading the revolutionary message of Jesus just a few centuries later.
Later, as the Romans seized control of territories, they paved roads and guarded the land routes and the seacoasts from all enemies. Their actions enabled early Christian missionaries to carry the gospel to different places. It is possible that Joseph and Mary traveled one of those roads on their forced journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Jesus the Messiah was born at precisely the time and place prophesied. The Romans made the roads, but God paved the way for a Savior.
Prayer
Loving and gracious God, may all that could be distraction during this Advent season lead us to a greater time of reflection, renewal, encouragement, and understanding. Amen.