12月16日 

　　《路加福音》中所記載的傳統的聖誕故事是這樣開頭的：“當那些日子，該撒亞古士督有旨意下來，叫天下人民都報名上冊。”（路加福音2章1節）我們在讀這句話的時候，通常不會再深入地去思考它的意義。

　　亞古士督是羅馬帝國最偉大的君王，他比他的叔祖該撒猶流（現譯為凱撒尤利烏斯，就是我們熟知的凱撒大帝）更為偉大。他作王期間讓羅馬城由一座磚城建造為一座大理石之城。他在位統治羅馬帝國41年，為世界帶來了聞名的“羅馬和平盛世”，期間整個地中海地區都處在羅馬帝國統治下的和平時期。

　　而他最偉大的政績，一個對於人類歷史影響最為深遠的舉動，就是下令執行了一次全帝國範圍的人口普查。這個普查的目的就將所有擁有財產的人登記在冊以便徵稅。所以這個普查和宗教信仰毫無關聯，它只是政府一直沿用的一項政策而已。

　　歷史學家的研究表明，這個普查並不是在所有的帝國統治區域同時進行的。在當時那種信息傳遞極為緩慢的情況下，在那些邊遠的省份完成一次普查可能要花費長達數年的時間。很大程度上取決於當地的官員是否願意配合執行。

　　當普查推行到以色列境內的時候，原本的政令可能已經因為猶太的傳統和做出過調整。羅馬本國人可以從當時的居住地參與普查，而猶太人則須全家回到籍貫所在地。這就解釋了為何約瑟和馬利亞必須得在馬利亞臨產這樣不便的時候，長途跋涉回到伯利恆去。

　　可以確定的是，該撒亞古士督從來沒見過約瑟或馬利亞，他也完全不知道那個猶太男嬰（主耶穌）將會在耶路撒冷的郊外出生。亞古士督死的時候，羅馬人像失去了他們的神一般地哀痛。可是，他們並不知道，神使用那一次的人口普查，將祂自己的兒子帶到這個世上。

　　因此，我們該對該撒亞古士督說“聖誕快樂！你不知道，你也有一份功勞，因為你為大君王的出生鋪平了道路。”

　　主，禰掌管所有世上最強大的統治者。求禰打開我們屬靈的眼睛，讓我們看到禰那雙看不見的手在世上做工。阿們。

　　頌歌：2010年10月30日，費城歌劇公司組織了一個超過650人的合唱團，演出了韓德爾哈利路亞大合唱（Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus）。我看到這段視頻的時候，甚至都想要站起來大聲歡呼。因為所有人都要知道——祂掌權直到永永遠遠。

　　哈利路亞！因為主我們的上帝，全能者作王了。世上的國成了我主和主基督的 國；他要作王，直到永永遠遠。萬王之王，萬主之主。(啟19:6下, 11:15下, 19:16下)

　　附上頌歌全篇歌詞,　Handel’s Messiah 這首氣勢磅礴的偉大詩歌，《哈利路亞》這部分的主題取自新約聖經啟示錄的經文， 包括第19章第6節，第11章第15節，和第19章第16節：

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah 
哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth, 因為主我們的上帝，全能者作王
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, 哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！
For the lord God omnipotent reigneth, 因為主我們的上帝，全能者作王
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, 哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！
For the lord God omnipotent reigneth, 因為主我們的上帝，全能者作王
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, 哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, 哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, 哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！
(For the lord God omnipotent reigneth) 因為主我們的上帝，全能者作王
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah 哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth 因為主我們的上帝，全能者作王
(Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah) 哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！
Hallelujah 哈利路亞！

The kingdom of this world; 世上的國
Is become 成了
The kingdom of our Lord, 我主和主基督的國
And of His Christ,
And of His Christ

And He shall reign forever and ever, 祂要作王，直到永永遠遠
And He shall reign forever and ever, 祂要作王，直到永永遠遠
And He shall reign forever and ever,
And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings, forever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah, 萬王之王，萬主之主，哈利路亞！哈利路亞！
And lord of lords, forever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah,
King of kings, forever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah,
And lord of lords, forever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah,
King of kings, forever and ever, hallelujah, hallelujah,
And lord of lords,
King of kings and lord of lords

And He shall reign, 祂要作王，
And He shall reign, 祂要作王，
And He shall reign,祂要作王，
He shall reign,祂要作王，
And He shall reign forever and ever 直到永永遠遠

King of kings, forever and ever, 萬王之王，萬主之主
And lord of lords, hallelujah, hallelujah, 萬主之主
And He shall reign forever and ever 他要作王 直到永永遠遠

King of kings and lord of lords, 萬王之王，萬主之主
King of kings and lord of lords, 萬王之王，萬主之主
And He shall reign forever and ever 直到永永遠遠

Forever and ever, forever and ever 直到永永遠遠
(King of kings and lord of lords) 萬王之王，萬主之主

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah 哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！哈利路亞！

亨德爾《彌賽亞》

　　附亨德爾《彌賽亞》英中對照歌詞以及聖經根據如下：（註：取自網路資源）

　　1.Sinfonia (序曲) 4:47

　　2.Comfort ye, my people (男高) 3:38

　　Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity ispardoned; ...The voice of him that cried in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
　　你們的上帝說："你們要安慰，安慰我的百姓。要對耶路撒冷說安慰的話，又向她宣告說：她爭戰的日子已滿了，她的罪孽赦免了,...在曠野有人聲喊着說：當預備耶和華的路，在沙漠地修平我們上帝的道。（賽40:1-3 ）

　　3.Every valley shall be exalted (男高) 3:32

　　Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough places plain.
　　一切山窪都要填滿，大小山岡都要削平，高高低低的要改為平坦，崎崎嶇嶇的必成為平原。（賽40:4）

　　4.And the glory of the Lord (合唱) 3:36

　　And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
　　耶和華的榮耀必然顯現，凡有血氣的，必一同看見，因為這是耶和華親口說的。（賽40:5）

　　5.Thus saith the Lord (男低) 1:52

　　Thus saith the Lord of Hosts: Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all nations;and the desire of all nations shall come.
　　萬軍之耶和華如此說："過不多時，我必再一次震動天地、滄海與旱地。我必震動萬國；萬國的珍寶，必都運來。"（該2:6-7）

　　The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
　　萬軍之耶和華說："你們所尋求的主，必忽然進入他的殿；立約的使者，就是你們所仰慕的，快要來到。"（瑪3:1）

　　6.But who may abide (男低) 5:01

　　But who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire.
　　他來的日子，誰能當得起呢？他顯現的時候，誰能立得住呢？因為他如煉金之人的火。（瑪3:2）

　　7.And He shall purify (合唱) 3:11

　　And He shall purify the sons of Levy, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering of righteousness.
　　他必潔淨利未人，他們就憑公義獻供物給耶和華。（瑪3:3）

　　8.Behold, a virgin shall conceive (女低) 0:43

　　Behold! A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, God with us.
　　必有童女懷孕生子，給他起名叫以馬內利，上帝與我們同在。（賽7:14，參太1:23）

　　9.O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (女低 & 合唱) 7:22

　　O thou that tellest good tidings of Zion, get thee up into the high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!（賽40:9）
　　報好信息給錫安的啊，你要登高山，報好信息給耶路撒冷的啊，你要極力揚聲。揚聲不要懼怕，對猶大的城邑說："看哪，你們的上帝。"

　　Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
　　興起！發光！因為你的光已經來到，耶和華的榮耀發現照耀你。（賽60:1）

　　10.For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (男低) 2:59

　　For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee; and His glory shall be seen upon thee, and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
　　看哪！黑暗遮蓋大地，幽暗遮蓋萬民，耶和華卻要顯現照耀你，他的榮耀要現在你身上。萬國要來就你的光，君王要來就你發現的光輝。（賽60:2-3）

　　11.The people that walked in darkness (男低) 4:51

　　The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
在黑暗中行走的百姓看見了大光；住在死蔭之地的人有光照耀他們。（賽9:2）

　　12.For unto us a child is born (合唱) 4:49

　　For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
　　因有一嬰孩為我們而生，有一子賜給我們，政權必擔在他的肩頭上。他名稱為奇妙、策士、全能的上帝、永在的父、和平的君。（賽9:6）

　　13.Pifa (田園交響曲) 4:37

　　14.There were shepherds (女高) 0:59

　　There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, 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.
　　野地里有牧羊的人，夜間按着更次看守羊群。看哪！有主的使者站在他們旁邊，主的榮光四面照着他們。牧羊的人就甚懼怕。（路2:8-9）

　　15.And the angel said unto them (女高) 0:53

　　And the Angel said unto them, Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
　　那天使對他們說：“不要懼怕，我報給你們大喜的信息，是關乎萬民的，因今天在大衛的城裡，為你們生了救主，就是主基督。”（路2:10-11）

　　16.And suddenly there was with the angel (女高) 0:21

　　And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: ...
　　忽然，有一大隊天兵同那天使讚美上帝說：（路2:13）

　　17.Glory to God in the highest (合唱) 2:17

　　Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, goodwill towards men.
　　在至高之處榮耀歸於上帝，在地上平安歸於他所喜悅的人。（路2:14）

　　18.Rejoice greatly oh daughters of Zion (女高) 4:32

　　Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee! He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.
　　錫安的民哪，應當大大喜樂；耶路撒冷的民哪，應當歡呼。看哪，你的王來到你這裡。他是公義的，並且實行拯救。他必向列國講和平。（亞9:9-10）

　　19.Then shall the eyes of the blind (女低) 0:31

　　Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.
　　那時瞎子的眼必睜開，聾子的耳必開通。那時瘸子必跳躍象鹿，啞巴的舌頭必能歌唱。（賽35:5-6）

　　20.He shall feed His flock (女低 & 女高) 6:12

　　He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, and He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
　　他必象牧人牧養自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在懷中，慢慢引導那乳養小羊的。（賽40:11）

　　Come unto him, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
　　凡勞苦擔重擔的人，可以到他這裡來，他就使你們得安息。你們當負他的軛，學他的樣式，這樣，你們心裡就必得享安息。（太11:28-29）

　　21.His yoke is easy (合唱) 3:03

　　His yoke is easy, and His burthen is light.
　　他的軛是容易的，他的擔子是輕省的。（太11:30）

第二部分

　　22. Behold the Lamb of God (合唱) 4:08

　　Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
　　看哪！上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的。（約1:29）

　　23.He was despised (女低) 6:02

　　He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.
　　他被藐視，被人厭棄，多受痛苦，常經憂患。（賽53:3）

　　24.Surely, He hath borne our griefs (合唱) 2:59

　　Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows! He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.
　　他誠然擔當我們的憂患，背負我們的痛苦。他為我們的過犯受害，為我們的罪孽壓傷。因他受的刑罰我們得平安。（賽53:4-5）

　　25.And with His stripes (合唱) 2:21

　　And with His stripes we are healed.
　　因他受的鞭傷我們得醫治。（賽53:5）

　　26.All we like sheep have gone astray (合唱) 4:02

　　All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
　　我們都如羊走迷，各人偏行己路，耶和華使我們的罪孽都歸在他身上。（賽53:6）

　　27.All they that see Him (男高) 0:53

　　All they that see him, laugh Him to scorn; they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads saying:...
　　凡看見他的都嗤笑他。他們撇嘴搖頭，說：（詩22:7）

　　28.He trusted in God (合唱) 2:24

　　...He trusted in God that He would deliver him; let Him deliver him, if He delight in him.
　　他把自己交託耶和華，耶和華可以救他吧！耶和華既喜悅他，可以搭救他吧！（詩22:8，參太27:43）

　　29.Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (男高) 2:39

　　Thy rebuke hath broken His heart; He is full of heaviness. He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was no man, neither found He any to comfort Him.
　　辱罵傷破了他的心，他又滿了憂愁；他指望有人體恤，卻沒有一個；他指望有人安慰，卻找不着一個。（詩69:20）

　　30.Behold and see if there be any (男高) 2:03

　　Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.
　　你們要觀看，有象這臨到他的痛苦沒有？（哀1:12）

　　31.He was cut off (男高) 0:26

　　He was cut off from the land of the living; for the trangressions of Thy people was He stricken.
　　他從活人之地被剪除，是因我百姓的罪過。（賽53:8）

　　32.But thou didst not leave (男高) 3:22

　　But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.
　　他的靈魂不撇在陰間，他的肉身也不見朽壞。（徒2:31）

　　33.Lift up your heads (合唱) 3:13

　　Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.
　　眾城門哪，你們要抬起頭來！永久的門戶，你們要被舉起！那榮耀的王將要進來。榮耀的王是誰呢？就是有能有力的耶和華，在戰場上有能的耶和華。眾城門哪，你們要抬起頭來！永久的門戶，你們要把頭抬起！那榮耀的王將要進來。榮耀的王是誰呢？萬軍之耶和華，他是榮耀的王。（詩24:7-10）

　　34.Unto which of the angels (男高) 0:26

　　Unto which of the Angels said He at any time, Thou art My son, this day have I begotten thee?
　　所有的天使，上帝從來對哪一個說：你是我的兒子，我今日生你？（來1:5）

　　35.Let all the angels of God (合唱) 1:37

　　Let all the angels of God worship Him.
　　上帝的使者都要拜他。（來1:6）

　　36.Thou art gone up on high (男低) 3:59

　　Thou art gone up on high; Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men, yea, even from thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them.
　　你已經升上高天，擄掠仇敵；你在人間，就是在悖逆的人間，受了供獻，叫耶和華上帝可以與他們同住。（詩68:18，參弗4:8）

　　37.The Lord gave the word (合唱) 1:12

　　The Lord gave the word, great was the company of the preachers.
主發命令，傳好信息的婦女成了大群。（詩68:11）

　　38.How beautiful are the feet (女高) 3:05

　　How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.
　　報福音，傳喜信的人，他們的腳蹤何等佳美。（羅10:15）

　　39.Their sound is gone out into all lands (合唱) 1:43

　　Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.
　　他們的聲音傳遍天下，他們的言語傳到地極。（羅10:18）

　　40.Why do the nations so furious rage (男低) 2:53

　　Why do the nations so furiously rage together, and why do the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His Annointed.
　　外邦為什麼爭鬧？萬民為什麼謀算虛妄的事？世上的君王一齊起來，臣宰一同商議，要敵擋耶和華並他的受膏者。（詩2:1-2）

　　41.Let us break their bonds asunder (合唱) 1:49

　　Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.
　　我們要掙開他們的捆綁，脫去他們的繩索。（詩2:3）

　　42.He that dwelleth in Heaven (男高) 0:22

　　He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision.
　　那坐在天上的必發笑，主必嗤笑他們。（詩2:4）

　　43.Thou shalt break them (男高) 2:10

　　Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
　　你必用鐵杖打破他們，你必將他們如同窯匠的瓦器摔碎。（詩2:9）

　　44.Hallelujah (合唱) 3:32

　　Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.(Revelation 19:6b) The Kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15b)
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16b)
　　哈利路亞！因為主我們的上帝，全能者作王了。世上的國成了我主和主基督的國；他要作王，直到永永遠遠。萬王之王，萬主之主。 （啟19:6下, 11:15下, 19:16下）

第三部分

　　45.I know that my Redeemer liveth (女高) 7:43

　　I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
　　我知道我的救贖主活着，末了必站立在地上。我這皮肉滅絕之後，我必在肉體之外得見上帝。（伯19:25-26）

　　For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first-fruits of them that sleep.
　　基督已經從死里復活，成為睡了之人初熟的果子。（林前15:20）

　　46.Since by man came death (合唱) 2:30

　　Since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
　　死既是因一人而來，死人復活也是因一人而來，在亞當里眾人都死了，照樣，在基督里眾人也都要復活。（林前15:21-22）

　　47.Behold, I tell you a mystery (男低) 0:42

　　Behold, I tell you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
　　我如今把一件奧秘的事告訴你們，我們不是都要睡覺，乃是都要改變，就在一霎時，眨眼之間，號筒末次吹響的時候。（林前15:51-52）

　　48.The trumpet shall sound (男低) 4:20

　　The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
　　號筒要響，死人要復活，成為不朽壞的，我們也要改變。（林前15:52-53）

　　49.Then shall be brought to pass (女低) 0:21

　　Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory!
　　經上所記"死被得勝吞滅"的話就應驗了。（林前15:54）

　　50.O death where is thy sting (50、51連續) (女低 & 男高) 1:24

　　O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
　　死啊，你的毒鈎在哪裡？死啊，你得勝的權勢在哪裡？死的毒鈎就是罪，罪的權勢就是律法。（林前15:55-56）

　　(不間斷)

　　51.But thanks be to God (50、51連續) (合唱) 2:22

　　But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
　　感謝上帝，使我們藉着我們的主耶穌基督得勝。（林前15:57）

　　52.If God be for us (女高) 5:35

　　If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who makes intercession for us.
　　上帝若幫助我們，誰能敵擋我們呢？誰能控告上帝所揀選的人呢？有上帝稱他們為義了。誰能定他們的罪呢？有基督耶穌已經死了，而且從死里復活，也替我們祈求。（羅8:31-34）

　　53.Worthy is the Lamb (合唱) 7:52

　　Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour, glory and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.
Amen......
　　曾被殺的羔羊，用自己的血買了人來歸於上帝，是配得權柄、豐富、智慧、能力、尊貴、榮耀、頌讚的。頌讚、尊貴、榮耀、權勢都歸給坐寶座的和羔羊，直到永永遠遠。
　　阿們！......（啟5:9,12-14）