Luke 2 ~ all the world should be registered

Luke 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, 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.


8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." 49 And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Anne Geddes Photography, Delighted Father and Happy Son


When we look at this generation, we see wonderful Good News. The Heart of God, our Father, and His Son, Jesus, is being sought.

Pew Reports 2013
85% of Americans pray Once a Month.
Over 33% report religion plays no part in life choices.
The Church in America was showing a 2% decline annually.

Pew Reports and Lifeway and Gallup of 2017 and 2018
A world high of 55% of the USA prays daily, feels heard and loved.
78% say Jesus Christ is the first of God's Creation and is the Son of God
38% report they believe God in part of all their decisions and consider themselves Very Devote.
Report 1% increases in Church Attendance


We would love to consider what is holding Father God's Heart in us, His Beloved, today.

Let's start with Luke 2. Thanksgiving isn't just remaining in food and food thoughts, Thanksgiving is when we all start considering how Christmas gifts and Christmas decoration are going to be showing the Light of Jesus Christ.

I feel very fortunate Thanksgiving is giving Thanks and being in thought about Blessings from Father God. The Perfect, Perfect, Perfect start to Advent - The Beginning of Christmas. We are even fortunate on Holiday placement. And we could be mindful the United States Congress held a Presbyterian Church on Sundays until the late 1950s.
The Church paid rent and this was fiscal responsibility. Reminding us Thanksgiving was placed before Christmas - by a very specific plan. A Good Plan.

What else would God's Heart be strangely warmed by this generation?

Babies. How many are in the Bible. Oh, exorbitant numbers - babies everywhere. No. Nada. Not. 16 mentions in the Bible. Another version in the Bible records 17 mentions in the Bible.

Consider the babies of Medieval art ~



It's not just babies were painted by commission from priests and monks - without babies. The Church had already won the battle ~ Jesus Christ is fully mankind and fully God. It was because 1 in 5 babies survived. It was not until after serfdom and the plagues finished when children were given a name before the age of 5 years. Babies were a bundle of getting your heart broken. Typically swaddled and hung on a peg on the wall to keep diaper rash avoided - bucket on the floor. And then they marry and move off. This isn't the Jewish method of houses built on houses. Being married at age 15 wasn't uncommon. Why display beautiful infants when you have lost yours? Expect ten years of parenting.

The Renaissance - when people began to name their children and have them painted. Serfdom is put down because we need people to collectively work on food growing and preparation. Literacy is improving. The Scriptures are being printed, known and read. Luke 2 is probably having an amazing effect on parenting.

Now in the Scriptures - before Renaissance - before the New Covenant -
Eli is told, correctly, his sons are criminals and no one - especially God - wants them to continue in the Levite Tradition of being a Rabbi or Priest. Eli is fine with this. Samuel is told his sons are not cut out to be Priests. Samuel seems a little sad and doesn't comment greatly. King Hezekiah is told his sons will never match his kingdom built with incredible faith of Hezekiah, Isaiah and amazing acts of the people building plans to be free to worship their God - seen in Israel today. Easily seen.

And then we participate in the Love as we read Luke 2. Joseph is taking Mary with him to be enrolled. She's "Pregnant". And included. Joseph is there with Mary during all the before and after birth preparations. Joseph is moving Mary in Matthew's Gospel to Egypt. Not shrugging there will be other infants.

Mary and Joseph continue to be very involved with Jesus. The Gospels record the family of Joseph to be very, very close.


When we consider The Great Depression

Centennial Series: The Children's Bureau and the Great Depression

Because home life was so difficult, many youth fled to look for work. These transient youth were not welcomed in the towns through which they passed. Times were tough everywhere, and an additional mouth to feed was a burden. Children's Bureau representatives visited States and spoke with those who interacted with these homeless youth, later reporting their findings to the Bureau. At a congressional hearing in 1933, Chief Abbott made a suggestion: "The experience with work camps in which there is an opportunity for training in a wholesome environment had been excellent. There ought to be opportunity for vocational classes and for work relief in the cities and towns." Her proposal was echoed in the Civilian Conservation Corps and the National Youth Administration, public work relief programs established as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal.

Results from the Bureau's study of unemployment during the 1921 depression indicated that economic struggle caused mothers to leave the home for work and children to leave school for work. The same trend held true during the Great Depression, and a breakdown in child labor law enforcement occurred. The Bureau published more than 30 reports on child labor conditions. Studies indicated the number of 14- and 15-year-old workers in the shirt industry had spiked. Thirteen-year-olds were working in Pennsylvania coal mines. Another study revealed that children younger than 11 slaved over piecework in their homes, earning less than $.10 an hour. In December 1932, an emergency conference was held regarding the Depression’s impact on child labor. The Bureau's focus on the effects of economic strife on children and families laid the groundwork for the crucial child welfare provisions in the Social Security Act.


And in this Generation - and mine - we are recognized for the Parenting we want to give.

We warm God's Heart because we want to parent as Jesus was parented.

And have all the relief God gives us knowing Mary misplaced Jesus the Christ of God.



Abba, Father God,

We Thank You for the many Awesome Blessings You willingly daily load us with.

We Thank You for Thanksgiving. And Your Good Plan.

We'd take the Willing Blessing You give us and bless our Loved Ones to be held tenderly in the heart of You,
Our Loving Father God.

We give Abundant Thanks for Your Beloved praying around the world daily for more Heaven on earth. Our cares held by You, caring for us.

We give Thanks for Your Shining Face being Light to our Nation. We give Thanks for Jesus as the Light to nations Trusting in You.

Blessings of Jesus Christ are upon us.

In the Holy and Wonderful Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †