Proper Documentation – A Piece of the Nativity Story Not Usually Highlighted

Luke, the New Testament historian and research writer, includes the statement at the beginning of his second chapter, “that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.” Proper documentation was a part of life then, and every law-abiding citizen went to register with the government office in their own city. 

One of the prominent items in our U.S. national news is the issue of undocumented immigrants. Anyone from another country who has not been properly processed is considered suspect and identified as an undocumented alien. 

Having been born in Canada and moving to the U.S. with my family so my father could attend a Bible College gives me a viewpoint of what proper documentation looks like, with the requirement of filling out an alien registration form each year and submitting that document to the government offices. That requirement eventually concluded with the naturalization process for becoming a U.S. citizen. 

Serving as a missionary in a foreign country, we had to regularly update our status as expatriates living in Ecuador. Actually, the document that was provided by that government was called a Censo, so even the name brings back memories of that procedure we had to abide by. I always had a sense of relief when that process was completed, and we were properly registered with the Ecuadorian government. 

Today during this Advent season of the Christmas story, I find it interesting that this event is included in our biblical account of that first Christmas. So, what does this detail tell us about Joseph and his concerns for Mary? 

• He wanted to be a responsible citizen by obeying the edicts of the government. 
• He probably knew about the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah and wanted to be a part of those predictions. 
• Knowing about the unique situation his engaged spouse was in, he wanted to be a caring husband while waiting. 

​Lord, help us reflect on what’s important from this event in the original Christmas story, in our lives today, this Advent season.