Amazing; the look on that little girl’s face is simply AMAZING! She may be little, but from the look on her face, she knows what ice cream is and can’t wait to get some. I don’t know if she can talk yet, but if she can she probably would say something like – ME (meaning for ME?).
Yesterday, I watched a rather long BBC documentary on the first six emperors of Rome. I learned quite a bit about all of them, but what impressed me most was how a young man (of only 19) named Gaius Octavius eventually rose to become Emperor of the Roman empire and how the Senate bestowed the title Augustus on him. He was loved so much that they even named a month after him (August).
This is the time of year that many of us think about the birth of Jesus and the amazing circumstances associated with his coming into the world. In thinking of these things, I remembered Caesar August and this passage from the book of Luke…
Luke 2 ( World English Bible )
1 Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6 It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.
7 She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
11 For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
15 It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
Shepherds are simple folk, leading a quiet life life caring for animals. Israel was a conquered country, taxed heavily by the Romans and for some time the nation was eagerly expecting a savior. Then, these wonderful revelations are given to them by angels; Imagine, the joy, the wonder, the expectation, the hope. In a word… JESUS!
Some times in life things happen that we will never forget and the angel’s message to the shepherds would never, ever, be forgotten! That little child in the picture may someday forget about that amazing treat before her, but those of us who are followers of Jesus can never forget him! Hallelujah! Praise God for sending Jesus!