Census at Bethlehem — Andrew Forrest

[The image above is of my favorite painting: “Census at Bethlehem,” by Pieter Brueghel the Elder (1566).]

Advent Reading (Day 16): Luke 2:1-7

2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Summary: Against a backdrop of emperors and taxes, Jesus is born.

Caesar had no idea that God was using his census as a way to move Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, thereby ensuring that the Messiah was born in David’s city.

What current events, happenings, or occurrences might God be using for his purposes in our time?