The people of that time were being heavily taxed, and faced every prospect of a sharp increase to cover expanding military expenses.
The threat of world domination by a cruel, ungodly, power-intoxicated band of men was ever just below the threshold of consciousness. Moral deterioration had corrupted the upper levels of society and was moving rapidly into the broad base of the populace.
Intense nationalistic feeling was clashing openly with new and sinister forms of imperialism. Conformity was the spirit of the age.
Government handouts were being used with increasing lavishness to keep the population from rising up and throwing out the leaders. Interest rates were spiraling upward in the midst of an inflated economy.
External religious observances were considered a political asset, and abnormal emphasis was being placed upon sports and athletic competition. Racial tensions were at the breaking point.
In such a time, and amid such a people, a child was born to a migrant couple who had just signed up for a fresh round of taxation, and who were soon to become political exiles.
And the child who was born was called, among other things, Immanuel, God with us.
Thanks to Michael P. Green for his insights
How will the Birth of Jesus IN YOU help change the world in which we live for the better?
If the Kingdom of God Is in Your Heart, Then You Should Leave a Little Bit of Heaven Wherever You Go!
