Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Monday, December 24, 2012 Read – Luke 2:1-7 The Christmas story is probably the best known story in the Bible for Christians. And what a great story it is. We’re going to hear half of it today and half tomorrow. The setting of the story is marvelous. Mention is made of Caesar Augustus – the most powerful man in the whole world! He has the power to order people around and they obey. Little did Caesar Augustus know that one far more powerful than he was coming into the world! As far as anyone else could see Mary and Joseph are simply caught up in the workings of this world. But something far grander is unfolding. It was important that Jesus is born in Bethlehem, the city of David his ancestor, so that is where God brings these two travelers. Did Mary and Joseph hope to make this journey and return home before their baby was delivered? Who knows, but that is not what happened. There in Bethlehem the time came for her to give birth. In Luke’s mind he sees the coming of the Son of God into the most humble of circumstances. Mary and Joseph find refuge in a cave where sheep are kept. Was it because the people of Bethlehem were so unfriendly? Not necessarily. It is the great contrast between people like Caesar Augustus and Jesus that Luke wants to stress. That’s because this one who is born in Bethlehem is far more important than any Caesar.