And it came to pass in those days… A decree from Caesar Augustus declared all the world should be taxed.

Octavian’s ascension to absolute power as the Emperor Augustus marks the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire. He institutes an unpopular sales tax, inheritance tax, and personal income tax for the first-time in history. The birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity, coincides with the Roman Revolution. *1 AD

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David.

William the Conqueror invades England, absconds the Anglo Saxon’s land and confers it upon his continental followers. The “Doomsday Book” surveys all property, prescribes a value, and creates the English aristocracy to collect taxes and govern a centralized kingdom. *1066 AD

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife being great with child.

Genghis Khan creates the largest contiguous land empire in the world. The Mongol Empire tax every soul from the Sea of Japan through Europe, and the Indian subcontinent to the Arctic. *1206 AD

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

The Black Plague rises in Asia, reaches Europe in 1347, and kills an estimated 25 million people. It leads to a crisis of faith, a challenge to church authority, social and religious upheaval, emergence of alternative beliefs, and apostasy. *1350, AD

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Christopher Columbus discovers the New World; Portugal and Spain agree to divide the Earth in two; and 10-12 million captured and enslaved Africans begin their journey across the Atlantic Ocean. *1492 AD

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Martin Luther approaches the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany; nails his “Ninety-five Theses” to the door; and ignites a challenge to the Catholic Church. The Italian Renaissance ensues, and the study of Arts and Sciences begin shifting the Middle Age into modernity. *The Protestant Reformation, 1517 AD

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Conflict between Catholic and Protestant states evolve into a struggle to control Europe in the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) . A duet of peace treaties eradicates religious conflict across Europe by establishing state sovereignty and religious freedom. *Peace of Westphalia, 1648 AD

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another; to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God entitle them; a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. *U.S. Declaration of Independence, 1776 AD

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Abraham Lincoln's Executive Order changes the legal status of more than 3.5 million African American slaves in 11 confederate states from enslaved to free with the stroke of a pen. *The Emancipation Proclamation, 1862 AD

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

The deadliest war in human history culminates with 5,000+ vessels; a 1,200-plane airborne amphibious assault; 160,000 troops; and 2+ million Allied soldiers landing on the shores of Normandy to liberate Europe. The Allied Forces of WWII bring an end to an estimated 75-80 million casualties, upending colonialism, and ushering the United States to the echelons of global power. *V-E Day, May 8, 1945 AD

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Mahatma Gandhi’s policy of non-violent civil disobedience leads to a Salt March, and culminates in India's independence from the British Raj. *1947 AD

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Yuri Gagarin orbits the earth — 1,440 times at 18,000 mph for 21 days — initiating the first exploration into space; triggering the establishment of NASA: and instigating the ballistic missile-based nuclear arms race between the Soviet Union and the United States. *October 4, 1957 AD

And they came with haste and found Mary, Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Martin Luther King leads a March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Calling for an end to racism, segregation, and discrimination, King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is the defining moment of the Civil Rights Movement and considered the single most iconic speech in American history. *August 28, 1963 AD

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

The United States prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Abolishing racial segregation in public schools, housing, public transportation, public accommodations and labor, Public Law 88-352 effectively codifies women and people off color into the protections of law and constitutional promise of equality. *The Civil Rights Act, 1964 AD

And all they that heard it, wondered…

An attack results in roughly 1000 Israeli casualties, and a subsequent war in 45,000+ Palestinian casualties. The conflict, between Jewish and Muslim national identities, is aggravated by historical grievances over land disputes and national sovereignty, which metastasizes into larger regional and international alliances. *The Israel-Hamas War, October 7, 2023 AD

At those things which were told them by the shepherds.

A coalition of religious, military and political opposition groups enter Syria (SOR); a U.S. Army-trained faction enters Damascus (NSA); the Syrian Arab Army withdraws (SAA); President Bashar al-Assad flees; and Islamic and Christian prophecies trigger discussion of a transformative future and apocalypse. *Fall of Damascus, December 7, 2024 AD

And Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart…