The greatest miracles happen in the dead of night

When darkness one day falls,

We can maintain full confidence.

For sometimes the greatest miracles

Happen in the dead of night.

(Author unknown)

According to the Bible’s prophetic statements, the Messiah was to come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, more than 100 kilometers (around 62 mi.) away, and the two of them made no preparations to travel to Bethlehem. If Jesus had been born in Nazareth, the biblical prophecy would not have been fulfilled. Yet what happens? No angel appears, no prophet arises, no voice from heaven. Nor is Joseph told in a dream to set off toward Bethlehem, even though Mary is well-advanced into her pregnancy and the prophecy is hanging by a thread.

But then, a global political decree is issued by Emperor Augustus, that every citizen has to go to his birthplace to be registered (Luke 2:1ff.). The Romans are concerned with taxes. But God uses this command to fulfill His Word. Thus, Joseph and Mary come to Bethlehem, and the child is born there (Matt 2:5-6). Even today, God uses global political decisions to complete His plan. He is above the halls of government.

Biblical prophecy also predicted that God would call His Son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1). Because of the murderous decree by Herod the Great to have all the boys in Bethlehem killed, Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt with the child, at the behest of an angel. After Herod’s death, they return to Israel and, once again, the Word of God was fulfilled (Matt 2:15). Even people’s murderous plans and deeds cannot thwart God’s purpose.

Jesus was later to be called “the Nazarene,” which is derived from the word “sapling” or “off-spring.” The word for “branch” is translated “rod” in Proverbs 14:3. The word “sapling” (Hebrew nezer) appears in Isaiah 14:19, 60:21, and Daniel 11:7. It is related to “sprout” (Hebrew Zemach, among others in Isa 4:2; Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zech 3:8; 6:12) and is connected to the New Testament term “Nazarene,” meaning the Messiah who was to come forth from the line of David (the “root of Jesse”), which had been cut off from the kingship.

Joseph wanted to return from Egypt to Judea. But there, in place of Herod the Great, his oldest son Archelaus was now the ruler. Like his father, he was known for cruelty and despotism. When Joseph heard this, he was afraid. Then he received divine instruction to go to Galilee, and thus he came back to Nazareth again. This not only closed the circle, but also the exact predictions of the prophets were fulfilled (Matt 2:23; Isa 11:1; Zech 6:12). Even the arbitrariness of men ultimately contributes to the Almighty achieving His goal. “They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants” (Psalm 119:91).

There are situations in our lives that we cannot interpret. They unsettle us, and we often tend to doubt that the Lord is in charge. However, we can rest in the knowledge that with everything, the Almighty is fulfilling a purpose. In retrospect, we will be amazed at how wonderfully the Lord guided and arranged every detail. The greatest miracles do happen in the dead of night.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas!