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Topic: The manger
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Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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Another good topic Hashe. Here are few more interesting thoughts to consider.
AUGUSTUS
The first Roman emperor, and noteworthy in Bible history as the emperor in whose reign the Incarnation took place (Luke 2:1). His original name was Caius Octavius Caepias and he was born in 63 BC, the year of Cicero's consulship. He was the grand-nephew of Julius Caesar, his mother Atia having been the daughter of Julia, Caesar's younger sister. He was only 19 years of age when Caesar was murdered in the Senate house (44 BC), but with a true instinct of statesmanship he steered his course through the intrigues and dangers of the closing years of the republic, and after the battle of Actium was left without a rival.
Some difficulty was experienced in finding a name that would exactly define the position of the new ruler of the state. He himself declined the names of rex and dictator, and in 27 BC he was by the decree of the Senate styled Augustus. The epithet implied respect and veneration beyond what is bestowed on human things:
"Sancta vocant augusta patres: augusta vocantur
Templa sacerdotum rite dicata manu."
—Ovid Fasti. 609; compare Dion Cass., 5316
The Greeks rendered the word by Σεβαστός, Sebastós, literally, "reverend'" Acts 25:21, 25). The name was connected by the Romans with augur—"one consecrated by religion"—and also with the verb augere. In this way it came to form one of the German imperial titles "Mehrer des Reichs" (extender of the empire). The length of the reign of Augustus, extending as it did over 44 years from the battle of Actium (31 BC) to his death (14 AD), doubtless contributed much to the settlement and consolidation of the new regime after the troubled times of the civil wars. (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.)
David was born in Bethlehem, a shepherd, and here he was anointed as future king by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:1).
At the time of the Nativity, Bethlehem was where the lambs were raised for the Passover sacrifices. Our Lord was born there and laid in a manger, the Lamb of God, and the King of Kings.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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Hashe
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Member # 11273
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Luke starts his story of the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7) with a description of the Emperor’s decree for a census. There are two purposes to mentioning this decree. The first is to give a reason for why Joseph and Mary are in Bethlehem for Jesus’ birth.
The second reason is to put the idea of the Emperor in his reader’s minds. For Luke’s readers, who like him, are non-Jewish Roman citizens, the concept of the Emperor brings to mind images of largess. The start of the emperor’s reign was greeted with great fanfare. It was proclaimed throughout the empire as ‘Good news’ for everyone and celebrated with great ceremony. Luke’s audience will be aware of this. A new emperor or a new heir to the emperor was big news for them because for most of them, the Emperor was the most important person in the world.
In contrast to this Luke describes the birth of Jesus. For Luke, Jesus is the most important person born in history. He was born in amongst the animals because there wasn’t room ‘in the inn’ (or ‘guest room’).
It is suggested by many commentators that the ‘inn’ was more a guest room at a family house. Bethlehem was probably too small to have a commercial inn and it was common to have guest rooms for visiting friends and family. At the time of a census, there would have been many family members visiting, meaning that Mary and Joseph were settled in the room for the animals. Jesus was born with very little in terms of material possessions or comfort. And yet he was, for Luke, the most important person in history.
What does this say about the add-ons of life? It makes me wonder how much value I put on the things that aren’t really important. It also makes me wonder how much I judge others by the superficial things in life.
Posts: 23 | From: South Africa | Registered: Feb 2014
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