Dear Wisdom,
Please help us to better embrace the meaning of Christmas. According to Scripture, Jesus was born in a manger, a long way from home because all the Israel citizens were told to report for tax time by the Romans. In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was a governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. Luke 2:2
The birth of a child is stressful. In this case, Mary had been pregnant out of wedlock, a serious social offense in those days. Why was the birth of the Savior of mankind born so far from home? What is the meaning in this part of the Christmas story? Thank YOU!
Care to comment, Wisdom?
Answer
The Old Testament predictions indicate the region where the Savior would be born.
Joseph and Mary were not welcomed in their hometown, So, leaving town was a relief.
As they moved from town to town, people assumed they were already married so Joseph and Mary did not try and tell them the story about the angel and how Mary was still a virgin.
In their hometown, the news had spread and they were shunned.
Also, there were so many people traveling, the innkeepers saved the rooms for the wealthy.
Depending on one’s clothes would determine what kind of treatment they could expect.
Jesus and Mary’s family would not allow them to stay.
They knew that there had been no wedding.
Plus, people with any room rented out the space to wealthy travelers.
Some families put all of the family together in one room and made some money on the extra space.
It wasn’t just the citizens of Bethlehem returning, it was people passing through, traveling to distant towns.
Joseph and Mary were told by the angel where to go to deliver the baby.
It was the beginning of Jesus’s ministry and fulfilling the prophecies.
Thank you, Wisdom, with love.
You are welcome little “sheep”.
Sheep were used for warmth.
Some were raised as pets and when lay down next to the human, keeping them warm.
Sheepherders would have a sheep to keep them warm in the cold nights out in the fields.
They could go further distances without having to return to their own pasture.
The sheep was loyal to its master.
Be loyal to your Master in heaven.
*The only job the Most High has for you is to imitate unconditional love and live life with joy.
This is every human’s mission.
Jesus Reported for Tax Time 122413
