Taking a census was not unusual in the Roman Empire. The purpose was not only to count the population but also to levy a head tax for every person registering.

The census at the time of Jesus’ birth required that people return to their place of family origin. Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he and his immediate family were forced to register for the census in David’s hometown, Bethlehem. There were no hardship exemptions for pregnancy so Joseph had no choice but to transport his nine-months pregnant wife more than sixty miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It could not have been an easy journey.

The young couple was poor and the tax was a burden. They were hoping to get to Bethlehem and register before the baby was born so they would have only two head taxes to pay instead of three.

Political pressures are part of every generation. Nations go to war. Governments legislate taxes, marriage and divorce. Insurance companies decide who gets surgery and courts decide which parent gets custody. Rarely can one person take on the establishment and win. In that sense, we all share the forced journey to Bethlehem.

But as Christians, we trust the control of Jesus to get us through hard times. We can have joy in Jesus and not in the circumstances. Remember when the angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Those words weren’t just for the shepherds, but for us as well!