To begin the story of the manger we must begin with the knowledge the whole Roman world is being taxed. A taxation without representation. A tax levied by the government whose ruler is Caesar Augustus, that everyone is to return to the city of one's birth and pay tribute or tax to the government. Is paying taxes unusual in that day in time, not in the least but what is unusual is the place of Jesus birth would be the same city of Joseph heritage/linage. Joseph was a direct descendant from the throne of David. I believe there is a prophecy concerning this tax, but I can not locate when searching for it, so if you ever run across it, mark it, and write it down as prophecy. We know Joseph name is not given nor Mary name been prophesied has being the earthly parents in any prophetic message. Can one only imagine how many woman would of been named Mary during that time period. if that had been the case or how many Joseph if that had been prophecied. The names of the parents are not prophesied. Yet we see is two righteous people before God going to Bethelehem surrounded by prophecy to be the parents of the Immanuel/Jesus.

The journey with God surrounded by God's word is life and it is worth living. How do we receive that prophesy from God if we fail to take the time to listen to Him and read His word. God said to the men and woman of old and His word does not change, that should be good enough for today's people to rest and nest in God's holy word? The prophecy surround the birth child was no doubt echoing in Mary heart and mind. She no doubt pounder on the fact they were from Nazareth headed toward Bethlehem and wonder how God could plan this journey. Wonder if she remember the passage in Isaiah 60, would she have preceive it has being prophetic herself at the time. She had nine months and three of those months was spent in a priest house. I can not imagine her not examining those passage and wondering about this special babe to be born. Elizabeth rereading the story of the forerunner of Christ and then the Messiah. Looking for things that might help in the raising of these two boys. Maybe even sitting with needle and thread, a weaving loom or even a crochet hook planning the outwear of their baby to be born together. After departing from her cousins house she had to face the music at home of how she was pregnant and not only pregnant but pregnant with the child of the Holy Spirit and not a man. As she deals with all these things and greats ready to leave for Bethelehem, she is discussing these prophecies with Joseph. Yet these things we will never know, it not recorded the events of preparation or Joseph's and Mary's discussion.

The greatest mystery of prophecy is sometimes being the picture is not so clear to understand it, yet clear enough once fully understood and fully seen in illuminate color of not only faith but in picture right before the very eyes of Joseph and Mary as the babe laid in the manger. The wonderment of the event foretold coming to life. Without being present at the first birth of the Messiah, the reactment of the events is enough to shed a tear, even a smile as the story comes to life in our hearts at the first Christmas is retold. For the believer it more then just a cute story I hope. I hope it is the story that reminds you of the Christian faith being born. The beginning or starting point of where Jews and Gentile nation begin to unite under one spiritual king. God has always had a call of faith to all nations, yet not all have believed or received His word. His word came to life with the rebuilding of the temple and the purifying of a nation, then the purifiying of the gentile nation for the coming of the Messiah. The Messiah purpose was to unite the people under one God. To unite the people and to pay the price for their sins. To offer peace as their coming king chosen by God. God knew that peace offering would be reject but for a time would be received. Jesus came into a loving world around him. He was loved by his parents and those that travel from the fields, and the wise men who came from afar. We know the manger was his throne and they bowed and worshipped the new king. The manger the first throne of our Savior birth and His earthly father was a carpenter. He did not carve a special cradle to lay him in, no doubt they thought he be swaddle in cloth and laying in a house/inn with his mother and returning straight back to Nazareth as soon as the taxes were paid. Apparently they spent a little time in Bethelehem, maybe doing carpentry work. Maybe there was a long line to see the new babe that was born called Emmanuel. I could spectulate all day why they did not leave Bethelehem and return home, but there is no evidence why the waiting. Then I remember prophecy would of held them in Bethelehem until the wise men showed up. They were waiting for the Gold, Frankinscense and Myrrh. They were waiting for camels to come. Had they wonder about the prophecy in Isaiah 60 picture of the camels.

The problem arises with doubters about the camels could of been any trader or person sitting themselves up as a king or prince of some area, yet what I do know is they came by a star that shown so bright in the night sky that illuminated and blocked the light of all other stars. God's miracle of a star over the manger is enough to know the prophecy of Isaiah is true. Yet if you only read Isaiah and then Luke you lost part of the prophecy and the evidence does not seem real. The whole story of the shepherds and the kings is never illuminated to the world as it needs to be. Yes all arrive to see Jesus but it is part of the reason the believer believes He is the King is never fully told. If we are to worship Christ we need the story of the Manger illuminated in our hearts and minds. As we head from the manger scene we need to tell the story of shepherds and then the wise men in truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, grant us truth of the birth and prophecy surround your appoint King to the world, so we know that his coming to take his people home is a reality and the prophecies of his return needs to be examined and understood as much as possible. To read and study and ponder them in our hearts as Mary ponder the birth of Jesus as he laid in a manger. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study for Devotion: Luke 2:19 KJV But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.