His Coming. Christmas Devotional. December 14.

It was a mad rush, everyone reacting in haste, a sense of urgency, similar to Black Friday.

Luke 2:1-4–And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be tax, everyone one into his own city. And Joseph also went from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: (because he was of the house of lineage of David:)

The descendants of King David had been ordered to pay their taxes, ordered by Ceasar Augustus. Another similarity to Black Friday. Money. And little did this small town know the birth of a King was about to happen.

Why? They were too busy, settling in for the night rather than worrying about others while Ceasar Augustus counted his money. No doubt they saw Mary great with child on donkey and Joseph, weary…before closing their doors for the night. No doubt Joseph was frantic to find a place for Jesus’ birthplace. But not one opened their doors.

Are we going to be like Bethlehem? Will we close the door on the Greatest Gift?

This is a beautiful song from Casting Crowns with a powerful message.

While You Were Sleeping

Oh little town of Bethlehem Looks like another silent night Above your deep and dreamless sleep A giant star lights up the sky And while you’re lying in the dark There shines an everlasting light For the King has left His throne And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping For God became a man And stepped into your world today Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history As a city with no room for its King While you were sleeping While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem Looks like another silent night The Father gave His only Son The Way, the Truth, the Life had come But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today Jerusalem, you will go down in history As a city with no room for its King While you were sleeping While you were sleeping

United States of America Looks like another silent night As we’re sung to sleep by philosophies That save the trees and kill the children And while we’re lying in the dark There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky For the Bridegroom has returned And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping Will Jesus come again And leave us slumbering where we lay America, will we go down in history As a nation with no room for its King Will we be sleeping Will we be sleeping