“Now in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that a census be taken . . . .” Luke 2:1
Caesar Augustus was the Roman Emperor at the time of Jesus’ birth. The Latin meaning for Augustus is “exalted one.” Literally his name was “Caesar the exalted one.”
A few verses back an angel declared to Mary that she would name her son, Jesus. Just Jesus… not Jesus Augustus, or even Jesus “the exalted One,” although He is the exalted and most High Savior and Lord. I thought that was interesting. Jesus, God, the babe, not the Exalted one.
But I, we, know that Caesar “the exalted one” doesn’t take center stage at Christmas. We don’t sing Caesar carols, or say “Merry Caesar-mas.” But my Christmas’ do tend to lean in the direction of Target-mas, or Gap-mas, or Wii-mas, instead of CHRISTmas? I catch myself wondering if I’m really focused on Jesus Christ or Stressed Augustus? Know what I’m saying?
Just pondering….