And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 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:) – Luke 2: 1-4

Neither Caesar nor Herod knew Jesus, but both were complicit in Christmas. In fact, if either one had known about Jesus, they would have done everything in their power to destroy Him and His family. Nevertheless, God used their secular and sinister actions to move the Christmas story along and to make sure that the scriptures were fulfilled.

The prophet Micah (Micah 5: 2) predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. That’s fine except for the fact that Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth. How would Mary ever get to Bethlehem and why would she go there? Enter Caesar. The Roman Emperor made a decree that everyone in the empire must return to their ancestral home to be taxed. Since Joseph was of the lineage of David, we was, therefore, to go to Bethlehem (The City of David – Luke 2: 4) to be registered and taxed. Without his knowledge, it was thus by the command of Caesar that Jesus was born in Bethlehem according to the scriptures.

Jesus, the King of the Jews had been born right under Herod’s nose and he had no clue. His own Hebrew religious advisers were so busy serving him that they neglected to seek the King of Kings. It was the Wise Men who tipped Herod off as to what was going on. After a period of time, when the Wise Men failed to return to Herod and apprise him of the whereabouts of Jesus, Herod sent soldiers throughout the land to kill all male babies under two years old in hopes of killing Jesus.

Joseph was warned of this and was told to flee with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. There, like the nation Israel, Jesus, the Savior of the world was welcomed and weaned on the continent of Africa. Here again, causing the scriptures to be fulfilled. “And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.” – Matthew 2: 15

It is best when those who lead our nations are righteous men or women who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. However, when this is not case, rest assured that the Sovereign God sits high above them and looks low upon them. He can take the evil intentions of godless leaders and turn their efforts into good. God does all of this while, at the same time, advancing the cause of Christ without their knowledge. That is miraculous!