The Romans had conquered the Promised Land in the first century BC and ruled it through their puppet king, Herod the Great, whom the Roman senate declared “King of the Jews.” Herod’s tenure as king was marked by his oppressive unpredictability. No one knew exactly what to expect from him. Even his own family members were murdered when he felt threatened by their popularity. In this light, the Roman emperor, Augustus, quipped that it was better to be one of Herod’s pigs than one of his sons.

What’s more, in his fear from invasions from the east, Herod built numerous fortifications, including one, called the Herodium. Herod began its construction about 24–15 BC, only 3.5 miles southeast of Bethlehem. This was likely of particular concern to observant Jews living in this small village. Since Joseph worked in the building trade (Matthew 13:55), there may have been reason for him to leave Bethlehem and move to Nazareth to avoid being conscripted into Herod’s building program.

Families such as those of Mary and Joseph who were dedicated to living the lifestyle God had planned for the Israelites abhorred the immoral rule of Herod. Consequently many chose to withdraw from the region of Judea to remote villages in the Galilee such as Nazareth, a small unremarkable agricultural village. Here Mary and Joseph could practice the lifestyle God had commanded as they awaited the arrival of the Messiah. Insulating themselves from the corrupt Roman culture that had even permeated the walls of the Jerusalem Temple, Mary and Joseph were awaiting the day God would restore rightful leadership in the land.

Little did King Herod know that the rightful King of the Jews and the King of Kings would be born not in an opulent palace or fortress like the Herodium, but in a humble stable.