1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
When Caesar came into office, he had announced a very popular tax rebate to all the citizens of Rome. But then the economy tanked, the Zealots had launched terrorist attacks again, and the debt went out the roof, so Caesar had to increase taxes again.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
There was a great danger that people would avoid paying their taxes. The Roman Internal Revenue Service spent months trying to determine exactly how they can get the last denarii out of every citizen. Someone suggested that they just mail everybody a form labeled MXL (1040). But other people in the office insisted that it would be too easy to cheat on such a form. Finally, some bureaucrat suggested that everybody be required to go to their hometown. There all the town gossips would know who everybody was, what they did and how much everybody made. They would just hire the town gossips, and that way all the taxes would be collected. Caesar thought that was a great idea. In addition, he figured that all those people moving about would bring tourism denarii into the local economy. So that's what they did.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David.) 5To betaxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Joseph made a modest living as a carpenter. And being the upright citizen that he was, he was scrupulously honest about paying his taxes. He was eager to see all his family again, all those other descendants of the great king of Israel, David. But there was just one problem. Mary was expecting her baby any day. Well, Joseph didn't particularly like the hospitals in Nazareth anyway. And he had heard that they have lots of good doctors at the Bethlehem General Hospital (located in Bethlehm, the city of his heritage and family.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Joseph hadn't realized that the rough donkey ride from Nazareth to Bethlehem would be just the thing to induce labor. They never made it to the Methodist Hospital! Mary was ready to have that baby before they got settled in town.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Bethlehem never did have enough motel rooms, especially now that they have that new civic center. When Joseph and Mary checked at the Landmark Inn, they found that all the rooms were full. But someone suggested that they could stay in the garage out back. And that is where the baby was born.
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