When God became man: A fulfillment of prophecy

"Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David" (Luke 2:4).

The Messiah would come from Bethlehem, God had declared in the Old Testament book of Micah. The time had come for the Sovereign Ruler of all to bring it to pass.

A decree from Caesar Augustus, the Roman empire's ruler, sent Joseph and Mary -- residents of Nazareth -- to Bethlehem to be counted in a census (Luke 2:1-5). Their trip was necessitated by Joseph's heritage. Everyone was required to be counted in the hometown of his family. Because Joseph was a descendant of David, Mary and he traveled to David's city.

Bethlehem was about 80 miles from Nazareth, a torturous trip for someone so near the end of her pregnancy. God was acting, however, to fulfill His purpose through not only two obedient people on a difficult journey but a powerful monarch.