Day 11. {{ God, You and Luke 2 }}

When we read the first few words of Luke 2, we already hit a miraculous thought. Tax the whole world? Vs. 3 tells us..."and all went to be taxed..."

This is mind boggling to me. Part of my questions that arise as I look at the normal people of this cast is...what if they didn't? What happens to those who don't get taxed, recorded? I think we have no idea how stiff these regulations were. Obviously it was so serious that Joseph had to take Mary in her delicate condition, knowing they probably weren't going to make it back for a home delivery.
we know it was days of travel and would have been further delayed with a very pregnant Mary who no doubt had to rest often. I can't imagine the jostling even of being on a donkey.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 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:)

and so my mind wanders and it's not grand spiritual ideas that always cross my mind...but it's the: couldn't they hid somewhere? What happens if they don't? What happens if the do? Kind of questions about registering with Caesar Augustus.
Would we be so willing to do that in 2012? if our government suddenly said you have to go back to the land of your ancestors and register...Where would it be for you? do you have money to drop everything and go? Leave your job or take a leave of absence while you go? Load up kids, take them out of school, drive, fly? What will it cost to eat along the way?
I believe there was a cost to having to go. not just financially but even with the safety and well being of Mary and the coming baby. I think we have no idea. Just me thinking this morning....