The Census That Took Place at Night
It is 1 AD (anno domini) and the scene is set just outside Bethlehem. Shepherds, as was their routine, are guarding their flocks under the night sky, completely unaware that this ordinary evening is about to become a moment to be recounted every year throughout the world for as long as the earth remains. On this rare night, there is so much joy in heaven that the heavens open, and angels descend, declaring good news of great joy to Shepherds on earth. Bethlehem, a quiet town in Judea, had transformed into a bustling hub due to the census decree by Caesar Augustus. Ordinarily serene streets were now thrummed with activity, with the air carrying the sound of lively chatter, and the occasional stern commands of Roman soldiers ensuring order. Families, some weary from long journeys, filled every corner of the town, with many resorting to sleeping in courtyards or along hillsides. Merchants seized the moment, hawking wares and provisions to the restless crowd.
Yet amidst the crowd’s preoccupation with Caesar’s census, God was conducting a census of His own—an eternal count of all His people through one profound act. Amid Bethlehem’s frenzy, a simple, borrowed manger cradled a child born for all mankind. This child, was God’s own census. When the child’s first cry pierced the night in Bethlehem, heaven’s melody entered the earth. In that single moment, God took count of all His children—past, present, and future—through this one child. The virgin had been found with child; God numbered man, once and for all time.
The Calendar Is Reset
The cry of the child also unveiled a new dating system. The world’s calendar was reset. History was no longer counted from Adam but from this child. The Ancient of Days now bore a date of birth. The world missed this significant event. Even Satan did. The countdown to the cross had begun.
Before this child, humanity measured time through empires, kings, and significant events, but His birth redefined the axis of history. The split from “Before Christ” (BC) to “Anno Domini” (AD) symbolised the inescapable truth that all time now centred around this singular life. Even the simplest calendar entry became a silent acknowledgment of the child born in Bethlehem.
This birth of Jesus symbolised the inauguration of a new era – a reign of grace, redemption, and eternal hope. In Jesus, humanity found the dividing line between death and life, despair and hope.
Ever since this eventful occurrence, every page turned on a calendar, bears witness to the truth that Jesus is the beginning and end of all things. Time itself bows to Him, affirming the eternal significance of that night in Bethlehem.
Simeon’s moment
At 40 days old, the child was presented at the temple, like any Jewish firstborn. Amid the crowd was Simeon, a devout man who recognised Him as God’s eternal plan. Within his trembling grasp rested God’s orchestrated salvation: the Son of God destined for the cross. In that sacred moment, Simeon glimpsed the vision of Calvary – 33 years ahead.
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace… for my eyes have seen your salvation…” (Luke 2:29-32 ESV)
Simeon held the thoughts of God in his hands – how rare! He had encountered God’s Word in flesh, paling everything else in significance – even his own life. He was ready to die, just as the child he held was destined to die for him. When you truly encounter the thoughts of God, you will truly die many times to this world.
Paul, the learned Jewish Pharisee, after he encountered this same child as the risen Christ, boldly declared: “…my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.” Galatians 6:14b (NLT). Have you also truly encountered Him?
God Narrows His Focus
From 1 AD, God’s Son left His side in heaven and God narrowed His dealings with humanity to His Son forever. Without Him, God does nothing. In Jesus, God does everything.
In Jesus, God is no longer just the Creator but also a Father. All who wish to call Him Father must reside in His Son. Everyone who belongs to God has a living address in Jesus. Everyone who desires to come to God must come through this child. With the turning of history, God not only declared His sovereign intervention in the affairs of man but also His unwavering commitment to redeem all things through Jesus, alone.
In AD 38-48 in Caesarea, Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion, sought God with reverence and good deeds. His devotion and generosity became a memorial before God, yet God could not truly fellowship with him until he and his household were led into Jesus. Apart from Jesus, his good deeds and prayers only remained a memorial before God. God could not be found by him. No one is truly good apart from Jesus. God’s blessings and fellowship are reserved for those found in Jesus. As Scripture reminds us:
“But God, …. made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7 ESV
The Hard Truth
Here is a profound and humbling truth: outside of Jesus, even the Almighty God cannot help you. Truly, God is compassionate and merciful, sovereign and limitless in power but has chosen to constrain Himself and limit His help and generosity towards you in Jesus. In Him, every promise of God to you is kept and every answer in Him is “Yes.” Jesus sustains all things by His Word, including you, until the day He presents you blameless before the Father.
Have you accepted Jesus as Saviour and Lord? This is the only way to be counted in Him. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day…” 1Corinthians 15:3-4
This Christmas, let the birth of Christ remind you that in Him, you can do all things and without Him, you can do nothing.
