1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Let us join in this great mystery.
Luke 2:1-7
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
You might wonder why everything seems so unorganized? But that's only at first glance. In reality, the Lord governs everything. The decree for the census was not accidental.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
The Lord knows how to arrange everything in human life so that it all goes according to His plan.
Galatians 4:4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son,
The descendants of the royal line went to a specific city designated by God.
Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
When the Magi came to King Herod, the scribes told them which city to go to according to prophecy. For everyone, this remained a mystery until the time came. Reading about the events in Bethlehem, you might also wonder why the birth of Jesus happened in a manger. But everything is under God's control.
1 Kings 17:4-6
And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
Why then was there no place for Jesus in the house?
2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
He is the eternal Lord. But there came a moment when He left His glory to become accessible to us. He is ready to receive the lowest, the weakest, the most rejected.
The New Testament unveils the mystery of the Old Testament.
Leviticus 25:47-48
And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family: After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him:
Hebrews 2:13-15
And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Jesus became our relative; He came to redeem us.
There exists a personality, the devil, who had some power over people. This proud cherub, who was cast down from God's mountain. God created the entire visible world, eternity, and man, investing all His favor in man. But the devil, the adversary of God, unable to resist God, deceived man to make him oppose God. Now the love of God towards us and the justice of God seemed to be in contradiction. But the devil did not know the mystery of God's redemption. Now that man had chosen the path of disobedience, how could man be saved? Today, we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who was born for suffering. Satan did not understand this great plan of God, His mystery. Prophets began to speak about this mystery.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Let's remember how they later brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus—a new attempt by the devil to create a contradiction between mercy and justice. But our God is ingenious, and it is impossible for Him to create a contradiction. Jesus Christ says, "He who is without sin among you..." When Christ ascended to Golgotha, He manifested His love—He took all our sins there, and the judgment of God came upon our sins on Jesus Christ. Then love resurrects Jesus Christ and reveals victory. What man lost in Eden, Christ restores on the cross of Golgotha. The judgment of God is completed over sins. Love triumphs in the universe. All human problems are now resolved, but now a step must be taken towards Jesus Christ from the side of man. Have you taken this step?