Monday’s thoughts
Bethlehem is such an interesting place. People who visit the town today talk about the lines and the security. They talk about the guns and soldiers and the frightening atmosphere that seems to be part of the environment.
I want to explore the history of the town of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. I want to learn what was happening then and how that compares to what is happening in our world today.
What were the factions in Bethlehem? How were the various battles being played out? What were the dangers? What were the Romans doing about the potential for an uprising? Were they concerned about it some 70 years before there actually was an uprising? What were the hard core zealots doing about the Roman occupation? What kind of census was there? Historians doubt that there was a nation wide enrollment, but they do acknowledge there was regional requirements for the people to declare themselves for the purpose of being taxed.
Was the world then as violent as our world has become? Were there wars and battles or minor skirmishes?
In the backdrop of what was Jesus born?
Do you have thoughts about this? What is your guess? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net (click on the blank to bring up the email address.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
