Christmas, A couple thoughts

[psalms 91]

You know a lot of people think Mary and Joseph were poor but the truth is they were not. They were traveling to be counted and taxed and if they were poor they couldnt be taxed and the inn they had money to stay just no room, now the shepards in the field were poor they were in the fields and not traveling to be counted. The other thing that came to mind is how God has a plan and knows ahead of time what we will have need of. He knew that Mary and Joseph were going to have to spend three years in Egypt so what happened, the three wise men vsited and gave them gifts that would support them while they were down there, Gods provision! It is amazing to think about how God knows exactly what we have need of and supplies it. Each of us has so many blessings to be thankful for every day and in this special time of year it is good to reflect on the goodness of God and how He provides for us every day and how He provided a way to reconcile us to Him. Merry Christmas all. He has a plan for each of us and with His help we can be all that He wants us to be. His plan is perfect unlike ours

 

[NewCreation435]

I think that people think Mary and Joseph were poor because when Mary went to the temple to offer up an offering she offered up two turtledoves, which was an offering that someone with not a lot of money would give.
From what I understand, most people were poor then. There was no middle class.

 

[ValleyGal]

That depends on what you would call "poor." I think the point was that Mary and Joseph had provision. He worked as a carpenter, so he had some money, albeit heavily taxed. They had a roof over their heads and food on the table. There were those who likely didn't have a roof or food - the people who had no skills or who were disabled and unable to work. Poor as they were, I think Mary and Joseph were the "middle" class.

 

[Josiah]

You know a lot of people think Mary and Joseph were poor but the truth is they were not. They were traveling to be counted and taxed and if they were poor they couldnt be taxed

What makes you think that? What evidence do you have that poor people were exempted from taxes by the Romans?

the shepards in the field were poor they were in the fields and not traveling to be counted.

What evidence do you have of that?


What makes you think they were exempted from the Roman censes?


As I understand it, they likely were shepherds of the very expensive, very special sheep raised for the Temple. These were not sheep raised for meat and wool but very special, specially breed sheep to meet the ceremonial law and the requirements of the Temple. They likely made good money from these sheep.

He knew that Mary and Joseph were going to have to spend three years in Egypt

What do you have that proves they spent 3 years in Egypt?

the three wise men vsited

Three?

It is amazing to think about how God knows exactly what we have need of and supplies it. Each of us has so many blessings to be thankful for every day and in this special time of year it is good to reflect on the goodness of God and how He provides for us every day and how He provided a way to reconcile us to Him. Merry Christmas all. He has a plan for each of us and with His help we can be all that He wants us to be. His plan is perfect unlike ours

Amen.





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[JRT]

More needs to be said about the census. There is no record of a comprehensive census of the entire (Roman) world. In those days a census was much different than those of today. In Italy periodic censuses were ordered to enroll all men of military age but this happened only in Italy. Elsewhere in the Empire a census had a quite different purpose --- it was to enroll the value of land and/or business assets for the purpose of taxation. Such a census did not require that people return to their ancient home town. Can you just imagine the massive dislocation that would entail? The Romans were a very practical people and the census was not focused on people at all. The census dealt with land and business in place for the purpose of taxation and likely involved an inspection of the property. In the colonies the Romans employed the notorious system of tax farming. This system resulted in very onerous tax burdens. I strongly suspect that Jesus was born in Nazareth and the journey to Bethlehem was a haggadic midrash literary construction in order to make the connection to the Davidic prophesy. No, the Holy Family was not rich. Both Joseph and Jesus were described as being "tektons" --- which means a skilled workman or tradesman. He could have been a smith or a potter or a mason or, yes, even a carpenter. These were one step above the "expendables" and on a par with the peasant farmer. They were not the poorest of the poor but they were certainly not rich.

 

[psalms 91]

I just offered up my thoughts on what I see, not here to debate it or argue it. As for scripture I accept it all as true so no I dont believe that anything was out of place or constructed to make something fit. That kind of reasoning calls into question everything and I choose to beleive God and the bible over any man. Anyone who wishes to try to pick apart what I have written have at it but do not expect an answer.

 

[JRT]

I just offered up my thoughts on what I see, not here to debate it or argue it. As for scripture I accept it all as true so no I dont believe that anything was out of place or constructed to make something fit. That kind of reasoning calls into question everything and I choose to beleive God and the bible over any man. Anyone who wishes to try to pick apart what I have written have at it but do not expect an answer.

I used to be just like you but I was able to grow beyond milk and get into the meat and become a more mature Christian. God bless you!