When you imagine Joseph and Mary making the 140-kilometer trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem, which would have been like walking from Burnaby to Hope, what comes to mind?  Why does the couple travel to their ancestral home in the late stages of Mary’s pregnancy?  

Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, had ordered registration for a tax assessment. In some ways, their days are like our days of taxation – taxes at the gas pump, GST, PST, Property Tax, Federal Income Tax, Carbon Tax. We live in the land of “axe the tax!”  

Jesus was born on a real day in a real place. And the emperor, Caesar Augustus, who ordered the tax assessment, not only saw himself as a powerful ruler, but also as a son of God, the Savior of the world. He was delusional.

Why should we listen to the Song of Christmas?  Because it is …

1. A Song for the Real World
2. A Song for YOU!
3. A Song for You to Hear.

 Reflection Questions:

1.  What is distracting you this Christmas Season?  Surrender it to God.
2. As you have listened to the story of Christmas this year, what has God unveiled to you?
3. Is there something you need to ponder and treasure today?