Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
And so begins one of the most well-known stories of the Bible. And especially with Christmas having just passed, so very many people are familiar with this story. Sometimes I think that might be part of the problem–familiarity. It makes us comfortable, we hurry along, not paying full attention because…we KNOW this story, right?
Luke 2:2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
But if there is one thing I know for certain, it is that looking with new eyes on a familiar text can reveal things you haven’t noticed before, can reveal inconsistencies in what you thought you knew, can reveal things you’ve missed because you are just so familiar.
Luke 2:3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
Precious Savior, Thank You for new eyes to read a familiar story. Thank You for questions I never thought to ask before. Thank You for this season, this birth, this time to rejoice and celebrate. Thank You for hope, born in a manger. Amen.
Luke 2:4 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.
Have a blessed day.