Luke 2:1-2: 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. Caesar was an extremely powerful man. The first emperor of Rome The one who ushered in the Pax Romana (the peace of Rome) He was given the title “The divine savior who has brought peace to the world"

Luke 2:3-7: 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town Luke 2:3-7: 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, 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. Luke highlights how Jesus’ birth fulfills Old Testament promises.

Luke highlights how Jesus’ birth fulfills Old Testament promises. Luke 2:3-7: 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, 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. Luke highlights how Jesus’ birth fulfills Old Testament promises. 2 Samuel 7:12-14: 12 When your [King David’s] days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father and he shall be to me a son.

Luke highlights how Jesus’ birth fulfills Old Testament promises. Luke 2:3-7: 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, who was with child. 6 And while they were there [in Bethlehem], 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. Luke highlights how Jesus’ birth fulfills Old Testament promises. Micah 5:2: 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

“On one level, Joseph’s journey [to Bethlehem] is the consequence of the almighty decree of Augustus. On another, even the universal decree of Augustus is conceived as subordinate to another purpose, the aim of God,” (Joel Green).

It is good news that God is in control, because if Caesar is in control, the best we can hope for is Caesar’s peace (Pax Romana).

It is good news that God is in control, because if Caesar is in control, the best we can hope for is Caesar’s peace (Pax Romana). The Pax Romana looks like peace…if you are Roman.

It is good news that God is in control, because if Caesar is in control, the best we can hope for is Caesar’s peace (Pax Romana). The Pax Romana looks like peace…if you are Roman. Humans struggle to bring peace, in part, because we tend to define peace in ways that favor ourselves – peace for us.

It is good news that God is in control, because if Caesar is in control, the best we can hope for is Caesar’s peace (Pax Romana). Robespierre “What is the goal to which we are heading? The peaceful enjoyment of liberty and equality….The terror is nothing other than prompt, severe, inflexible justice.”

Luke 2:6-7: 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.

Luke 2:6-7: 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. Luke 2:11: 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:14: 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! Jesus, the lowly baby in a manger, is the true divine Savior who brings peace to the world…not Caesar!

The true Savior brings peace in an unexpected way: Luke 2:6-7: 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.

The true Savior brings peace in an unexpected way: Luke 2:6-7: 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. Luke 23:50-53: 50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud [cloth] and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 

Jesus’ death brings such peace! Jesus’ death brings us peace with God the Father. Colossians 1:21-22: 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he [Christ] has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him….

Jesus’ death brings such peace! Jesus’ death brings us peace with God the Father. Colossians 1:21-22: 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he [Christ] has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him…. God did not define peace as peace for himself. He chose a way to peace that included us in it…and it would cost him and his Son greatly.

Jesus’ death brings such peace! Jesus’ death should lead us to peace with one another. A major theme in Luke – God’s peace is offered to all kinds of people, even the people the Jewish leadership excluded. A major theme in Luke’s second book, Acts – God’s peace is offered to non-Jews. This should cause us to have a bigger definition of peace…that we seek not only our own peace but the peace of God for others and with others.