Today is the day the United States of America celebrates its birth.  Happy Birthday to all Americans.

Whatever your country, you also celebrate a special day at some point on the calendar.  Happy Birthday to you as well.

A Happy Birthday celebration was going to be in Bethlehem!
The historical events were bringing about facts surrounding the birth of Jesus.  Dr. Luke established the ‘when’ (see yesterday’s devotional), and then he established the ‘where’ of God putting events in place to fulfill His words of prophecy concerning His Son, the Messiah (Anointed One).

(NASB) Luke 2:4-5 “Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to resister along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.”

Dr. Luke established where Joseph and Mary lived –Nazareth in Galilee.  He also established their destination –Bethlehem in Judea.  The lineage of both Joseph and Mary was also established – they were of the house and lineage of King David.

Mary was pregnant…very pregnant.  The book of Matthew explains God’s plan for Mary and Joseph to be the parents of God’s only begotten Son. (See Matthew 1:18-25)

Before Jesus was born, God was in charge of the events which took Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in order for Scripture to be fulfilled.  Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

(See Micah 5:2) Centuries before Jesus was born, this prophecy was given.

To approach the birth of Jesus, the Son of Man and the Son of God – is awe inspiring.  It is astoundingly Good News.  God planned out the details before anything took place.  He did it for you and me to be freed from our sins and to be set apart to live in God’s eternal presence.

(Have you received that gift for yourself?  You can ascertain this by clicking on the tab “Resources” and then “God’s Plan of Salvation” of this devotional.)

The ‘where’ in these verses is of great importance.  This amazing story of actual, historical events is of the birth of Messiah.  Santa Clause pales in comparison.  At Christmas time, on what do you focus?  Gifts?  The holiday from work?  Santa Clause?  Or in six months will you focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and the events surrounding His birth?

When the holy days of Christmas come this year, will you say “I have to listen to that same old story, oh hum!”

Or will you approach Christmas with expectation of celebrating the amazing birth of Jesus?