In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered…So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. (Luke 2:1, 3-5)

God is before us and for us.

What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31)

He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? (Romans 8:32)

Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. (Romans 8:33)

Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. (Romans 8:34)

Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

Reflection Question: How does knowing God is on your side bring you hope this Christmas season?