Soon after they were married, Joseph and Mary were in the busy market place in Nazareth. Suddenly a chariot driven by a Roman soldier came clattering through the streets. 

“I bring a message from your emperor!” the driver told the villagers. “Caesar demands to know how many people live in his royal kingdom. So all of you must return to the city of your birth to be counted on to register as taxpayers. From this day forward, you will all pay taxes to Caesar Augustus. This is the emperor’s royal decree!” 

For Mary and Joseph this was startling news for Joseph was descended from the family of David, the great king of Israel, and since Joseph had been born in the city of Bethlehem, where David had been born, the emperor’s decree meant that they would have to travel to Bethlehem at once. Mary and Joseph went home to prepare for the long journey.