Today being the day we celebrate Christmas, the day of the birth of Jesus, we will leave Job for the day and look at that glorious event.  In Luke 2:1 we read, And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  We know that Mary and Joseph had already been told of the miraculous birth that was to occur, but we must also acknowledge that God was at work through those who did not even believe in Him.  Caesar Augustus declared that people would have to travel to their home of birth to be taxed.  Verse two states, (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  Luke was simply providing a reference to help set the time frame in which this occured.  The birth of Jesus was an actual event that occurred at an actual time, which was set by God.  Today there is a movement to stop using the terms B.C. and A.D., which are based on the birth of Christ, but no matter what people call it, the birth of Christ is indeed the dividing point in history.  Verse three states, And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  Even that first Christmas was a day of travel.  We know this not only by this verse, but also because there was no place left to stay as we know.  Verse four states, And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  Mary and Joseph had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, since he was of the lineage of David, as was Mary.  Verse five states, To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. We may think that the census that happens every ten years is an inconvenience, but at least they come to us where we are.  Imagine having to travel by donkey, and having no choice about it, when expecting a baby at any moment.  They were not traveling for pleasure or to visit relatives, but were instead having to leave home at the worst possible time.  Verse six says, And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  The time came for Mary to deliver her first born child, Whose birth had been foretold to Mary and Joseph.  I cannot imagine all the thoughts that were going through their minds.  Verse seven says, 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.  Not only did Mary and Joseph have to travel at this time, but at the end of their travel, there was no room for them to stay expect in a stable. We might be questioning God by this point.  Having been told that the baby would be the Son of God, we might expect Him to be born in a palace, but God's ways are not our ways.  After the birth of Jesus, Mary wrapped in in swaddling clothes.  I know there is a trend today to remove the swaddling from the verse, but I still believe that we should leave it in.  I personally think it denotes Mary's gentle care for Jesus.  Verse eight says, And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  It was just an ordinary night for a group of shepherds.  I believe that for the most part that life was boring and lonely for shepherds.  Verse nine declares, And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  Their routine night changed.  An angel appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shined on them.  Then, it says that they were sore afraid, or terrified.  Their job was to protect the sheep, and I believe at that point they weren't even sure how to protect themselves.  Verse ten says, And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  The angel told them he brought them good news of great joy for all people. God does not leave us in terror if we are only willing to listen to Him.  The birth of Christ is good news for all who will accept Him.  Verse eleven says, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  This is what we should be celebrating on Christmas day.  A Savior was born, who is Christ the Lord.  We should feel that same sense of the glory of God as we celebrate today.  Verse twelve says, And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  The shepherds were told where to find this Baby and how to identify Him.  We today will be called to this same Christ as were the shepherds, and I believe that we will know Him when we encounter Him.  We may refuse to believe, but there will be no doubt about Who Christ is when we meet Him, even without the angels.  Verse thirteen says, And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  The one angel became a host of angels.  Verse fourteen states, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  They declared the purpose of the coming of Christ.  Christ came to bring glory to God and peace and good will to people.  This should be the way all Christians feel.  We should glorify God because He sent His Son to be our Savior.  This should lead to an attitude of peace toward all people.