https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/12/08/church-nativity-displays-jesus-mary-joseph-cages-separated-border/
Here are my observations about it:
1. According to these scriptures, Joseph and Mary traveled LAWFULLY to Bethlehem, in accordance with an imperial decree:
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.
Luke 2:1-6 KJV
2. According to the laws at the time, it does not appear that Jesus would have been an "anchor baby", since He was of the house and lineage of David and did NOT have to claim citizenship or residency merely because He happened to be in Bethlehem when He was born.
3. King Herod and his minions wanted to capture and kill Jesus because He was a direct threat to their rule, NOT because He was an "illegal alien".
4. G-d protected Jesus, Mary, and Joseph throughout this ordeal. Is He protecting those who cross our southern border? If He isn't, should we?
In other words, although this "nativity display" is cute, it's a gross distortion of the history and principles involved.
Here is another critique of what happened to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.zerohedge.com/political/mary-and-josephs-battle-against-state
By the way, I disagree with the author's claims. A census (then and now) is not overly intrusive. Article I Section 2 Clause 3 of the US Constitution specifies a census every 10 years for taxation and representation purposes. Obviously Caesar may not have been interested in "representation", but his census was no more arduous than ours. Too many "open border" nuts seem to hate the very process of taking census, but I see no reason why a government should not have such power.