Luke 2:1-7 (NKJV) And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

“It came to pass.” The story of the Birth of Jesus begins with, “It came to pass.”

Israel had a long history up to this point. From the Creation of the Earth to Abraham was about 2000 years. From Abraham to Jesus was another 2000 years. Abraham was the first Hebrew and God promised that He would make a great nation from him and God did just that. In one day, God brought out of Egypt a multitude of Abraham’s descendants and they became Israel. And as we’ve seen in our verse by verse study in the Old Testament, and as we made note of in our study in Deuteronomy 11 … Israel’s history was one of blessing and cursing, depending on whether they chose obedience or disobedience to God. As early as Genesis 3, a Messiah was promised. 1000 years before His crucifixion, Psalm 22 prophesied of his death on the cross in incredible detail.  Around 735 BC the book of Micah prophesied the place of the Messiah’s birth, Bethlehem. But Israel had waited so long for her Messiah and they were desperately still waiting. Things were not going well for Israel.

• Their political independence had been lost.
• They lived in fear of the cruel government officials.
• It looked like God’s promise of a Messiah had failed.
• Many were wondering if the Messiah would ever come.

I’m reminded of where we are today … our world today. As Israel desperately wanted a Savior then, so the world groans for His return today. So much is changing these days and seemingly not in a good way. Should the Lord tarry, I hate to think what kind of world our children will be living in. Jesus said that as the end times draw near, there will be wars and rumors of wars and that:

Matthew 24:7 (NKJV) For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

It is interesting that the Greek word for Nations is Ethnos which is where we get our word for ethnic. There was a time when nations were comprised mostly of a single ethnic group. Today that has changed and the strife that was once between nations … is now within nations.  It is compelling that Jesus said this would happen … not only would kingdom war against kingdom, but ethnic group would rise against ethnic group. That is something we see a lot of today, even among what we might call “progressive” societies.  I believe that we are experiencing the “Balkanization” of America. Sadly, in the new year, I think we will see more of this. Balkanization is the division of a region or state into smaller regions or states among ethnic lines that are often hostile or non-cooperative with one another. Strife between ethnic groups in America is being fomented by leaders and groups who speak out of both sides of their mouth. Some make a living doing it, but others have a more evil reason for it … desiring to divide us for political reasons and spiritual reasons. But God says that, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

How this world needs Jesus!

This world groans under the weight of sin and it awaits renewal. We ourselves, Paul wrote, “who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). Paul characterizes this waiting as anticipation of something good, something hoped for, which we do not have but will receive, “the adoption, the redemption of our body.” The older I get the more I notice myself groaning … and for good reason. That which was once new and vibrant is now getting rusty. Physically, I groan at the aging of this body. Spiritually, I groan at the fallen-ness of this world. We are waiting.

You know, that’s much like the world that Israel was living in … a world of waiting. They had been through wars … so many wars … hardships, so much hardship … and for 400 years from the last prophet, God had seemingly been silent. When would something happen? When would the Messiah that was promised come? They were waiting.

The Christmas story contains many people with many needs. Some needed acceptance. Some needed comfort. All needed redemption. Jesus provides what we need. He is Immanuel, “God With Us,” to make everything right, to provide significance by His presence, and to eliminate rejection, fear, and loneliness. Friends, when Jesus came, He provided the very things everyone was waiting for, God’s comfort and His forgiveness.  Let me ask you a couple of questions, “What are you waiting for this Christmas? What is your greatest need?” Whatever it is, Jesus can give it to you. Some of you may be really hurting right now. You feel lonely, empty, afraid, pushed to the limit and maxed out. Do you need some comfort? Consoling?  Do you need a fresh sense of God’s presence?  If so, you can find what you’re looking for in Jesus. Our Salvation, The Consolation of Israel, and the Light to bring revelation to the world, He came to console us right where we’re at.