Have you ever thought about the context for the well-known Christmas story in Luke 2?In a story, context is everything. A literary context may be cultural, historical, social or political, and its important to identify what it is as it helps illuminate the meaning and relevance of the text.

So, how does Luke 2 begin? Verse 1 states: “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.” The story of Jesus’ birth begins with a political description. It introduces the man in power, a man who holds a position similar to our country’s president, and it describes a law that he is enacting.

Jesus v. Caesar Augustus

The literary context for this story is both political and historical. And, as we will see, the author, Luke, uses the story of Jesus’ birth to challenge the status of Caesar Augustus. 

You see, Caesar Augustus had made robust claims about himself. In 42 BC, Augustus gave himself the title, “Divi Filius,” which means, “Son of the Divine.” In attempt to enlarge his reputation, Augustus referred to himself as the “Son of God”! As the Roman Empire expanded during his rule, the peoples began to actually believe that he was the son of God.

However, that’s not what the angel told Mary. If you recall from Luke 1, as the angel Gabriel stands before Mary, he told her in verse 35: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” The true Son of God is not Augustus. No! The real Son of God is the child born of Mary.  The Son of God walked the earth in the 1st century, but he wasn’t Augustus. Amen?

Jesus, the Son of God, brings Peace

Furthermore, the literary introduction of the emperor calls to mind the perception of Caesar Augustus’ reign.

After defeating Marc Antony and Cleopatra, Augustus brought relative peace to the Roman Empire that it had not seen for centuries. And for the 40+ years that he reigned, the Empire enjoyed peace. Thus, his reign became known as the reign of peace.  This is where the phrase Pax Romana came from. It was birthed from Augustus’ reign.

However, this notion of peace was secured and maintained by the sword.  Augustus had to kill to obtain peace and he had to kill to preserve peace. That is not true peace.

Now, it is during this period known as the reign of peace that God raises up the Child of peace. We saw this promised in Isaiah 9:6. God would raise a Child who would rule with truth and justice such that He will be called, “Prince of peace.”  While Augustus was bragging about the bloody peace he brought, God sent forth the true Prince of peace. This is why the angel can pronounce in Luke2:14 – “peace on earth.” Peace has come to earth because the promised Prince of peace has arrived.

Peace Amidst Politics

The true Prince of peace lived during the 1st century, but he wasn’t Augustus. The Prince of peace, the Emperor of peace came in the person of the Child Jesus, and that is something that we can celebrate this Christmas. Despite what our current political leaders do, regardless of how peace-filled or antagonistic their actions may be, we can rest assured that our true leader, our Prince, is a prince of peace. No matter what is happening around us politically, Jesus’ true peace can reign in our hearts.

We can rest assured that our true prince is a prince of peace. No matter what is happening around us politically, Jesus’ true peace can reign in our hearts. Click To Tweet