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LUKE 2:1 - 14

A SAVIOR WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD"

I. EARTHLY CONDITIONS "NOW IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS THERE WENT OUT A DECREE FROM CAESAR
   AUGUSTUS."
        A. Ceasar Augustus first Roman emperor.
                1. Real name, Caius Octavius.
                2. Augustus his title.
                        a. Refused dictator and king.
                3. Power of government taken from people vested in military governors.
                4. At last this one man became supreme power.
                        a. The first emperor, the first Imperator.
                        b. Imperator military title -General in Army.
                        c. One singular man - despotism autocracy.
                5. This time of history doors of Temple, Janus closed.
        B. "In those days" -- Roman republic became Roman Empire.
        C. "In those days" when that autocratic ruler and empire had blud-geoned world into
           submission -- whole world crushed under heel of despot.
        D. "In those days" Jesus was born, "let the fulI significance come to us."
        E. "In those days" Caesar Augustus issued a decree that all the world was to be 
           enrolled and it was done.
                1. Patrician Romans - Plebeians.
                2. They all came because Caesar Augustus said to.
        F. "In those days period when there was no war."
                1. You might say beautiful time to be born.
                2. Think again--Most damnable time in human history.
                        a. Not glorifying war.
                        b. Reason for no war, people bludgeoned in to submission, no man,
                           woman, etc. dared to utter peep or mutter.

II. THE EVENT.
        A. Remote part of empire - two people.
                1. Only two among a multiple - insignificant.
                2. Their lives touched by decree of Caesar.
                        a. Joseph must bow, he must enroll.
                        b. Cannot do it by proxy, must go to Bethlehem.
                        c. And so they went. Mary and Joseph oblivious in world's eyes.
        B. Two people marching under orders of Caesar.
                1. Within woman's womb was the Son of God.
                2. Because of Caesar's orders, regardless of Mary's condition, they had to
                   march to Bethlehem.
                3. Prophet 650 years earlier had said: "And thou Bethlehem of Euphonta," When
                   I read these words uttered 650 years earlier, I see the insignificant 
                   person in this drama is the little puppet in the city of the seven hills
                   called, Caesar Augustus, and the significant personalities, one the woman
                   whose womb tabernacles the Son of God, and the man who guards her.
                   Why did Caesar give edict for enrollment at that particular hour of history?
        C. No room in the inn -- (not) hotel or house.
                1. Kataluma - wall shelter where traders drove their herds and spent the night
                   with them.
                2. The birthplace of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was in a manger as 
                   low as one can get, and it was there that Mary brought forth her firstborn
                   son.

Ill. HEAVENLY ACTIVITY.
        A. May be Gabriel?
        B. A Savior which is Christ the Lord.
        World needs a Savior -- lift darkness of sin.