It is the story that began over 2,000 years ago, with an emperor who demanded a census so he could tax his citizens.
Just like today's governments, which always want taxes.
Although Mary was very pregnant with the Lord Jesus, off she and Joseph went to Bethlehem to register for taxation.
What an uncomfortable trip.
We need to back up a bit in our story. Joseph and Mary were betrothed, which was as binding as marriage in their culture.
Mary received a visit from the angel Gabriel, who tells her she is highly favored by God and will bear the Messiah.
When she asks how this can happen, since she is a virgin, Gabriel tells her by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Instead of arguing, as most of us would, Mary submits to the will of God and calls herself His handmaid.
When Mary tells Joseph of this fantastic visit by the angel Gabriel, he can't comprehend it.
He knows this baby isn't his, and in Israel B.C., having a baby out of wedlock was an offense punishable by stoning, but Joseph loved Mary and didn't want that to happen.
This was no ordinary betrothal. Both Mary and Joseph knew the prophecy concerning the Messiah in Isaiah 7:14: "Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and call His name Emmanuel."
Joseph knew they hadn't done what was required to make a baby, so how could this be?
While he was pondering his options, the Lord sent an angel to him in a dream, assuring Joseph that this baby had been conceived by the Holy Spirit and Joseph took Mary as his wife.
We know the balance of the story: Bethlehem was mobbed with people registering for the census, and the inns were full.
Mary went into labor, and all Joseph could find was a stable that an inn keeper allowed them to use for the Messiah's birth.
How humbling a thought: the Savior of the world was born in a stable and laid in a manger.
The story is in Luke 1 and 2, if you'd like to read it.
This is God's love story to us, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord," Luke 2:11 states.
From our home to yours, we pray that you have a very Merry Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and give Him our worship.
Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Remembering the Christmas story