Article December 18, 1971 Issue

Cherishing Christmas

MARTHA SWANSON BRUCK

"It came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed."^{Luke 2:1;}

Many people had to travel considerable distances under difficult conditions for this taxation—this census-taking, as later translations explain. Everyone went to his own town. Wearied by their journey, crowded, bitter over their bondage to Rome, and resentful over what they considered its unjust burdens, many must have been completely unaware of the brilliant star that heralded God's momentous gift to the world.

The account in Luke continues, "There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night."^{v. 8;} To those shepherds, undisturbed by Caesar's decree, alert only to their duty to protect and comfort their flock, came the angelic announcement of the advent of the Christ child born that day in Bethlehem. In haste they left the field, went to behold the babe, and returned "glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen."^{v. 20;}