A Week of Christmas WonderSample

Day 3

This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Luke 2:2-3

The Christmas narrative is overflowing with many themes, promises, and truths filled with profound and eternal importance. Three things are for sure:     

• God’s ability to use the negative situations thrust upon our lives to bring about indescribable good.   


• He is more than able to position us where we need to be.   


• Christmas is the story of His perfect timing.

Under the seeming whim of an oppressive government, God moves Joseph and Mary to fulfill Old Testament prophecy (Micah 5:2). What seems excruciatingly difficult and out of the couple’s control and desires is actually a set-up for a grander story. 

Sometimes we may incorrectly interpret unasked for challenges in our lives and completely miss something significant. We can also unveil the truth that God knows what He is doing with us, and He will position us to receive His promises. 

And, His timing? God is never early, and He is never too late. Sometimes I have called Him the Lord of the thirteenth hour, coming through when hope seems lost, and when time has ticked past my preconceived deadline for divine intervention. Yet, I can look back on these occasions with 20/20 vision and see that His timing was perfect in every instance. Every. Single. Time. 

Can we miss His timing, place, and position? Yes, our own stubborn, strong-willed, and often faithless decisions can off-put His best for us. I have experienced this first-hand. Yet, during the recovery of one such time, I learned a Biblical principle that applies here: Be faithful and obedient in the small things, and you will be in the right place at the right time for the big things God is doing. The Christmas couple exemplifies this for us.

Next, don’t fret about decisions to be made, whether small or large. Stay poured out before the Lord’s throne. Do the next right thing that He tells you to do. Drink in His Word. Be filled with His Holy Spirit. Then, see how easily He places you exactly where you are meant to be at precisely the right time.

Take a moment to consider: What area(s) of my life I now make the choice to trust Lord Jesus with His perfect timing and ability to perfectly position me?