The Forced March to Bethlehem

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: December 24, 2003 1:00 a.m. Eastern

Some people may interpret this column as shameless politicization of the Christmas story. I think of it as an effort to de-politicize a beautiful and important truth distorted by the prism of modernity.

When I listen to certain unnamed, misguided humanist prophets use the story of Joseph, Mary and Jesus, it is often used as a segue into their phony compassion for the "homeless." You've heard them. They tell us, with a straight face, that Joseph and Mary were poor, homeless people. I've even seen Joseph and Mary described as "the first homeless family." That's the message these charlatans derive from the Gospel.

They use this lie to justify more confiscation and redistribution of wealth by government. What an irony when you consider the way the Christmas story begins in the most familiar of the Gospel accounts.

Luke 2:1-6 (KJV) begins: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And 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:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered."

Notice how many times the subject of taxes comes up in that first section of the Christmas story. That was the reason that Joseph and Mary were forced – and I use that word advisedly – to travel to Bethlehem from their home in Nazareth, a rough journey of about 70 miles for a young woman in her ninth month of pregnancy. They had to file their 1040 form.

It ought to be referred to as "the Long March to Bethlehem," because of its familiarity with the forced population movements of so many modern-day tyrannies. Jesus' birth was marked by the first world tax. The Roman Empire was ready, willing and able to coerce millions of people throughout the world to battle the elements, to travel great distances, regardless of their condition, so that they could be counted and taxed. No excuses were tolerated. This was a government operation all the way.

Joseph and Mary were not "homeless," as the modern government shakedown artists suggest.

Note the next verse: "And 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."

Joseph was a carpenter, a working man, who had money for a room at the inn in Bethlehem. It's just that there were no vacancies due to the overcrowding conditions caused by this forced population relocation.

Government is not your friend. It is the enemy of freedom. Government is not Santa Claus. It is the Grinch. Government is not your servant. It tends, all too often, to be our master. Government seldom helps people. It often enslaves them.

Even back then, 2,000 years ago, government was heartless and cruel. It forced women to march long distances in the last stages of pregnancy. That's the way government has always been and that's the way it will always be – at least until Jesus comes again.

By the way, I think it's interesting that it was the first global tax that precipitated the Savior's first coming. The world, it seems, through the auspices of the United Nations, is on the verge of imposing only the second worldwide tax. Might history repeat itself? Might God use this extraordinarily oppressive and onerous idea as the stage-setter for His dramatic return?

If so, it will once again prove the truth of another scripture – Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

So, "Don't be afraid," as the angel told the shepherds that night in Bethlehem. There is good news in this season of joy. Truth is truth. Light is light. And God, not Caesar, is still on the throne.

It was Hillary! (although Jackson may also have committed the same exegetical offense):

Seeking to exploit not only the homeless but the religiosity of the Christmas season, Mrs. Clinton has said that the baby Jesus was also homeless and that had He been born in New York City during the administration of Mayor Giuliani, He would have been mistreated. The record indicates that while Jesus was born in a stable because "there was no room in the inn," Mary and Joseph had homes and they presumably returned to them after fulfilling the purpose for their trip to Bethlehem-paying taxes, something that should please a liberal Democrat like Mrs. Clinton. Later this "first family" moved to Egypt and then back to Israel, settling in Nazareth. Presumably they had homes to live in because Joseph and later Jesus had a carpentry trade. It would appear that Mrs. Clinton's theology is as bad as her politics.
If Mrs. Clinton wants to travel the theological road on the issue of the homeless, she might consider setting a good example by taking a homeless person or two into her big new mansion in Chappaqua, N.Y. There's plenty of room in that "inn," and she would then have reason to claim "good Samaritan" status and challenge Mr. Giuliani by the depth of her commitment to this issue.

But that won't happen because liberals never want to solve problems. If problems were solved, grievances would be put to rest and much of the class warfare would end. Where would Democrats then go for votes?

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