Luke 2:1 – And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
I think it parallels our day to note that money was a driving force at the first Christmas. In fact this tax played an important role as it was used by God to move Joseph and Mary where He wanted them at just the right time for the Saviour’s arrival.
The tax of Christmas teaches us that life isn’t always fair. Traveling from Galilee to Bethlehem wasn’t an easy task, or a short journey; it took at least three days. Surely a woman as pregnant as Mary was could have gotten an exemption! “Why did the tax have to come at this time of the year?” Mary and Joseph may have wondered. It didn’t seem fair, but they didn’t have much of a choice. They would travel and pay up like everyone else.
This decree of Caesar Augustus demonstrated not only his arrogance and tyranny, but the fact that men may rule but God is in control. It looked as if Joseph and Mary were pawns in the hands of the powerful, when actually they were victors following the will of God. Augustus couldn’t decree anything God didn’t let him decree (Rom. 13:1). Our God is “higher than the highest” (Eccl. 5:8). The Lord is in control, even when it seems He’s not!
Why was this annoying tax given by a profane king used by God in His divine plan? To illustrate this truth – God often uses the ordinary to bring about the extraordinary. Joseph and Mary didn’t know when she was due, neither did they know the scriptures well enough to know where Jesus was to be born. So God used this tax to fulfill prophecy about His Son’s birth.
The lessons are clear. We are to do right even when life isn’t fair, knowing that God is in complete control. He often uses the small things, the ordinary things to accomplish His will.