"Now at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree...." So starts Luke's second chapter, which describes the birth of Jesus. This coin has the portrait of Augustus. After his death in 14 A.D. some commemorative coins were minted with the words DIVUS AUGUSTUS PATER, thus proclaiming his divinity. But Augustus was not God.

During his reign Jesus Christ was born. He was truly "God-with-us" (Immanuel). Augustus can do nothing for us today. Jesus can! His earthly father, Joseph, was told, "You must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

Is Jesus your saving God?
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