While thinking through some ideas for a devotion for fellowship, the idea of the census came to mind.
Luke 2v 1 In those days a decree went out, from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered.
This is Luke retelling the story of course and brings immediately to mind all those traditional scenes: Mary on a donkey; angelic choirs; shepherds. Theologically it’s hard to understand how reindeer got into the Christmas story.
If you ever wanted the Christmas story to be pushed to the outer edge of adult belief you would do exactly what we have done to the Christmas story. Angels are children dressed like fairies, Shepherds become people with tea towels on. None of those caricatures comes even close to the reality that Luke is picturing.
Now, food has become a central feature: Gift giving has become so obsessive that people are pushed to the brink.
The Shock, fear, awe, wonder or surprise that Luke is describing are no longer words we quickly associate with Christmas. Rather it is children, sentimentality, pressure and expense that are more likely: No sense in being against those Christmas traditions but many people never get past them to see the true story they represent. How different was the real Christmas story.
Luke begins with, “Registered’, what we today would call a census. In our society census are taken mostly for forward planning; Schools, homes for the aged, hospitals. We might moan about it but our census papers are delivered, and then picked up. In the ancient world the census had a different motive, namely numbering & taxation. You had to gather to your place of origin. The only way to get there was to walk: There was no opportunity to catch a bus or jump on a plane: Even the donkey is problematical and has more to do with the romanticism of the Victorian story tellers. It would probably have taken Mary and Joseph three or four days hard travel to arrive at their necessary destination. So a census was a huge disruption and forcefully reminded you that you were being held in subjection.
The Roman census was all about power, pride, and rule. It emphasised that Caesar was in control. Individual or family needs did not count at all. Everything was geared to show the iron fist of Rome. If you want to know what God thinks of this type of census read 2 Sam 24:10
But back to Luke, unlike Matthew, after the traditional Christmas symbols, Luke has Jesus being presented in the temple.
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32 (NRSV)
34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:34-35 (NRSV)
Then Luke introduces Anna the prophetess:
38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 (NRSV)
So in just a few verses Luke lays out a huge difference between the arrogance of an earthly kingdom, in this case subjugation by Rome, compared to God’s promised redemption and consolation in God’s Kingdom.
In recording the birth of Jesus, Luke begins by offering to a downtrodden people, the great promise of hope that was embedded in the psyche of Israel. Jesus is destined to shake the foundations of that Roman world, and though crucified that is what he did.
For today let’s stick with the message of hope. Hope for now and hope on into the future. A future vested not in a baby in a manger but in a risen Christ. Early in his record of Jesus, Luke has deliberately placed Jesus in the real world, facing real world issues. So he presents a Jesus who in every way can meet the needs of today and give to us a confidence that in him, all will be well no matter what we face. All will be well because God is taking back control of the whole of creation.
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