Christmas Message 2024

Ernest Godfrey

Throne of Grace Bible Church International (New York, USA)

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 

The Old Testament scriptures are filled with the promises of the future birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And specifically, it was said that He would be born in Bethlehem of Judah. Micah 5:2 says, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” Remember that Jesus is the Bread of Life.

With this in mind, don’t you think that Joseph and Mary should have journeyed to Bethlehem from Nazareth of Galilee when they saw that it was getting to the time for Mary to give birth to Jesus as the prophecy said? But they didn’t. The question is, why not?

It took the decree of Caesar Augustus, the adopted son of Julius Caesar who reigned from 29 B.C. – 14 A.D., for everybody in his empire to journey to their place of birth in a census for the purpose of taxation for Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem at that time. This certainly reveals to us how God uses events and circumstances in our lives to bring about His purpose for our lives and the world in general. How many times have you ignored the word of God? The eternal truth is that, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). May the purpose of God in your life come to pass in Jesus Name. It is often said by many that “in the midst of circumstances, God is making breakthroughs.” May your breakthroughs come suddenly. God speaking to us though the prophet Jeremiah says, “Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit” (Jeremiah 2:11). Taking the word of God very seriously and applying it in our daily lives, brings about the purpose and plan of God for our lives. After all, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Are you willing to cooperate with God? Caesar was not aware that his decree would bring about the fulfillment of the prophecy that would change the whole world.

Finally, Luke 2:7 says, “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.” Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea as God had revealed hundreds of years before then. In this Christmas, and always, make sure there is a room for Jesus in your heart. In short, your whole life belongs to Him. We can all say Happy Birthday to Jesus Christ. He reigns forever! Merry Christmas!

Yours in His Vineyard,