DAILY BREAD OF LIFE

(KJV.)  ST. LUKE 2:4-7

(4)  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;  (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
(5)  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
(6)  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
(7)  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

AWAY IN A MANGER

Brethren, from generations to generations, paying taxes to govern officials have been a part of human duty and responsibility;  referring to the chapter of the above text, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed, by the way, taxing was first introduced by Cyrenius governor of Syria: therefore, Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, the city of David, called Bethlehem;  because he was of the house and lineage of David:  and though Mary his espoused wife was fully pregnant with the baby Jesus, he brought her along to be taxed;  therefore, no one can escape paying taxes, if Jesus Christ was taxed while he was still in his mother's womb, let us not feel bad when we are being taxed today, though, at times, the taxes are too high and overwhelming for people who are trying to survive from paycheck to paycheck, but paying taxes is part of human responsibility, to help the governing officials manage constituencies;  when the question of paying taxes was brought up to Jesus during his ministration, he answered to the people;  "Render therefore unto Ceasar, the things which are Ceasars, and unto God the things that belong to him. cf. Matthew 22:21;  he did not speak against it, but encouraged the people to do what was rightful before our Father;  therefore, as the year 2016 wraps up, and the new year 2017 ushers in, we enter into the tax payment and refunds season;  let us obey the law, be faithful with our recordings, do our duties and responsibilities rightfully before Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Also, in the book of 1 Kings 12, King Solomon, taxed the people mercilessly, and because of taxes, the house of Isreal rebelled against the house of David, and his grandson King Rehoboam;  therefore, as governing bodies, let us be merciful to our people, think about them first in whatever we do, not overburden, suffer them with higher taxes, much of what they are unable to bear, but incorporate their welfare, best interest in all decision makings: back to the above text;  when Joseph and Mary his espoused wife, got to Bethlehem, they could not find an inn to stay because all the inns were fully booked for the census;  while they were there debating on what to do, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered; and, she brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped him a swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn:  what do this tell you and me?  this is a sign of humbleness; Jesus is a deity from heaven, yet when he came into the world, he was born in a stage of animals, wrapped up in swaddling clothes, laid in a trough, where animals eat;  he was not born in a palace where deities belong but in the filthiness of this world;  however, today, Jesus Christ has a name above all names, rules and reigns forever and evermore, because he did what was rightful while on earth; therefore, as we serve him, no matter what may be the obstacles, hindrances, and sufferings; let us do what is rightful before our Father, do his will, receive crown of glories, be joint heirs with Jesus Christ in heavenly places forever and evermore.  Amen and Amen!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

(KJV.)  Matthew 1:25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:  and he called his name JESUS.