Today is Christmas Eve. Has anyone asked you the question: “Are you ready for Christmas?” This question could mean a number of things. Are you ready to celebrate? Have you finished mailing cards or buying gifts? Have you completed making preparations for Christmas guests? There are many ways that we can be ready—or not ready—for Christmas. In the ancient world at the time of Jesus’ birth, there was a buzz going around that a Messiah was coming. Today, let’s consider one person who did not realize he was helping people get ready for Christmas:

Now in those days a decree went out from Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth…to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David [and] in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him…and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

One of the things I find very interesting about the birth of Jesus is the world into which He was born. The Roman religious system had a bunch of "gods" and the Emperor Augustus was not just a ruler; he was a self-proclaimed god who was to be worshiped as a god. The first sentence in today’s passage gives us a hint of the kind of power Augustus thought he had: “Now in those days a decree went out from Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.” Here was a man who believed himself so powerful that he could order every person on earth to go to their home town and sign up to be counted. When Jesus was born, His birth also came with a title: Lord of Lord and King of Kings. That message, Jesus is Lord, not Caeser, often got the apostles and the first century church into trouble. Today, it’s our message, as well. There are a lot of “Caesars” wanting to be worshiped in our day...but we will not worship them. Congress is not Lord. The President is not Lord. Our culture is not Lord. Power, prestige, and influence are not our Lords. There is only one Lord, only one Name above every other name. Every knee, unbelieving and Christian, will eventually bow and submit to Jesus the King.

How about you? Are you ready for Christmas? Get ready to worship…the King is coming!