Luke 2:1-7 KJV
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The time of birth Christ is said to be 4 BC or 2 BC. The exact day is not known. Records perhaps were burned when the temple was burned down. Those particular records not stored in cave, or buried yet perhaps. No clue beyond those reasons. Scrolls were burried and perserved in case of seize and war. Records were important to Israel. Timelines in families might of even been perserved but not dates as we know them today. If we go back to early in Decemeber the discussion of how did God orcharestra getting Caesar Augustus to tax the known world in which he reign, and how it brought Israel back to their homeland to be there at the time of Jesus birth. The uniqueness of the story, brings about how God can plan in far advance then we can and everything work out smoothly. I would like to think this taxastion came probably after harvest. For families would have storage of food for winter and yet warm enough that camping outdoors would not of been to bad. Interesting thing about tradition is the world has Jesus being born in a stable. In reality that where most mangers are kept but it could of been a feeding trough or crib that Joseph made to put feed in for the animals that traveled with them or even Mary's son. They may of been camping out in a tent. Stable is often consider because no room in inn, and stable would of been another housing location for travelers at night. By traditon we often preceive the stable, and by non tradition under a shelter built by Joseph for his wife along with other travelers doing likewise.

Mary time came and she brough forth her son and wrapped him in a manger. Primitive shelter and primitive place to have a baby, but Jesus was not any ordinary baby, nor was he any ordinary son. He being born out with the stars at night in his Father's kingdom with the earth his footstool. The heavens his throne room. Of course Mary's family and Joseph family would of been traveling with them no doubt. Mary gently wraps her son and lies him in that manger. I can almost imagine a midwife helping, and perhaps maybe even a doctor there in the open sky. I also know that this way seem primitive to us but culturally at the time it was not that foreign to their way of daily life.

Jesus minister in the town and cities not always in building and often in open field. Isaiah 60 depicts and prophesize about the Messiah, and first 13 is Isaiah 60 maybe a reflection of the manager scene. The first verse of this particular chapter reflections the camels coming. I did not post that today, will be posting later when we get to the wise men(magi). Reflection of the throne room of God is often seen as a temple but in reality it where God creation is. It depicted in Revelations and other parts of scripture the throne room of God being his creation. His footstool being the earth. It easy to look at creation and see God's throne room within it, but when we think of throne rooms and palaces we often look at what man's hands have made in reflection of castles. This is not God creation, though God did draw the map of the building of the temple and its design, for it be his earthly house made by man. He can not be hide in enter chambers of a temple, his palace is much larger.

The beauty of the Christmas story must not be lost in depiction of the manger scene. It what it is all about, the glorious appearing of God's only begotten Son. Whose message to the world is of peace. We think of sciencifiction cartoons of alien coming to earth and the reaction is hopeful of peace, but sometime they vaporize people and that reflect war. Christ is not of our world but the world is made by him because he is the word of God. His message in his coming was of peace, and yet his coming is of war. God is not unidentifiable, or alien to our world. He been here with us all this time by his Spirit. His presence is made clear through his son. We want the peaceful presence of God in our world, not the image of wrath of God in our world. To achieve peace, we must accept his word and live by it but mostly believe in His Son. This Christmas I hope you can receive the King of Peace, the Prince of Peace and the gift of peace.

Next week is Christmas and hopefully by the time we reach Christmas day all the characters will be at the manger scene. If you wondering in town where I live what they did with the manger scene that was in main town. It over at the Sanders house near Walmart, hiden by the bank, but visible on the right hand side of the road. Don't hide the light of Christ let the world see the light of Christ this Christmas.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the glorious Christmas season of the reenactment of our Saviors birth. Though he be long before a physical baby, who brought him forth to show us your love and peace. Thank you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Isaiah 60:13 KJV
13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.