The birth of Jesus was not accidental for we see the providence of God at work in his birth. Far from being a matter of chance or accident, his birth was by the sovereign workings of an almighty God. God works out all things for the furtherance of his purposes in Christ Jesus. This is the lesson we learn from Luke 2:1-7.

God providentially uses rulers to achieve his goals. When Quirinius was the governor of Syria, Caesar Augustus ordered a census by which all citizens were required to register in their towns of birth. Because of this census Joseph and Mary, who by now was expecting a child, had to return to Bethlehem. Governments implement their policies but governments are put in place by God and are used by him to further his purposes.

Pharaoh could boast of his Egyptian culture and chariots but did not God use him to nurture a nation and to thrust that nation into the promised land? Nebuchadnezzar could boast of the glories of his kingdom but did not God use him to purge Israel of idolatry? Cyrus could boast of ruling the world but did not God use him to release the Jews from captivity? And so Caesar Augustus issues a decree for a census of his people but was not God behind the whole thing whereby he would bring about the birth of Jesus and fulfil his purposes through him?

God¹s providence is seen in the fact that Joseph¹s betrothed wife Mary was expecting a child. The prophet Isaiah foretold that a virgin would conceive (Isaiah 7:14). Here is something beyond our understanding - a virgin conceiving. That which was conceived in Mary was of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:20). God foretold the virgin birth and God brought it to being according to his word.

God¹s providence is seen in that Joseph and Mary were from the tribe of Judah. Centuries beforehand the Bible had spoken of the Messiah coming from the tribe of Judah (Gen.49:10) This was confirmed in the New Testament by John (Rev.5:5). It was no coincidence that Joseph and Mary were from Judah. This was the Lord¹s doing and he worked all things out according to his will.

God¹s providence is seen in the fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It had to be. The prophet Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). God in his sovereignty worked all things out whereby Joseph and Mary return to Bethlehem and here, according to the prophetic word, Jesus is born. It had to be Bethlehem. Not Jerusalem or Nazareth, but Bethlehem. This was what God said. And this is what God accomplished.

God¹s providence is seen in the lowliness of Jesus¹ birth. He is born, not in Caesar¹s palace but in a stable. He is placed in a manger because there is no room for him in the inn. His birth is characterised by lowliness and humility. All this is in accord with the predetermined purposes of God for the Son of Man came with nowhere to lay his head. He came and mixed with the lowly. He sat with sinners. He sat with children and children loved him. The Saviour is humble and lowly. The lowly circumstances of his birth were aspects of the providential directing of an almighty God.

Let us understand that God works all things out for the furtherance of his purposes in Christ Jesus. Christian, rejoice for the privilege of knowing this. Your life is enriched by a knowledge of divinity. If you are a non Christian let me exhort you to receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and understand something of the fact that almighty God was behind the coming of Jesus.

God is sovereign. I repeat the wording in the Westminster Confession of Faith. God upholds, directs, disposes and governs all things. Even in the birth of Jesus we see his sovereign providence. To him be all glory.

(Sermon Summary by David Yan)