Tumult near Bethlehem

It might have been reported this way:

Jerusalem, December 24

This reporter has reliable information that a miraculous event took place near Bethlehem today. Numerous shepherds in the field with their sheep report brilliant lights in the night sky. Some shepherds report seeing angels and hearing them say that the "Christ is born today in Bethlehem."

King Herod's information officer reports that all is quiet in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

This reporter reminds the reader that the Prophet Micah wrote that the Shepherd would be born in Bethlehem. I am on my way to interview these shepherds. As news breaks, I'll keep you informed.

Crowds larger, night sky brighter

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Bethlehem: December 19

The stir around the census continues to grow as more and more descendents of David arrive in Bethlehem for the census ordered by Emperor Augustus. Already crowded family homes strive to host more and more people each day.

Coupled with the large influx of visitors, the odd light in the night sky is disrupting the autumnal lambing season. David, an area shepherd, said, "the ewes get confused sometimes thinking it's time to graze because the night is so bright. Funny isn't it, these lambs will be used for Temple services, yet we who look after them have to be purified before we can join in the celebrations of the Feast of Tabernacles."

New light in the sky

Maybe it could have been reported this way:

Jerusalem: December 15
People in Jerusalem are all agog over the light display in the night sky. King Herod's spokesperson said that priest, scribes, and astrologers are studying the newly discovered light to find any facts about the new "star." The Scribes have been studying holy scripture and haven't found a description of this new star.

Governor Sulpicius Quirinius said, from somewhere in the field with the XXth Legion in Syria, "it appears to be a flux in the light from a previously dim star. It is of no concern to Rome."

Report from Bethlehem

Maybe it could have been this way...

Jerusalem: December 13
Small villages all across Judah are experiencing larger than normal visitors. This reporter is in Bethlehem, a small village about 6 miles south of Jerusalem. The reason for this is the imperial edict of a new census. Mathais, the person in charge, for the Roman government said, "the census will give the government a more accurate number of the people living in Judah and will be the basis of the amount of taxes due each year to Rome."

Tax collectors say that the census effort will continue through the rest of the month, and people are required to register in their tribal homeland/villages. For people who have moved from their tribal areas, it will mean, in many cases, long distance travel and trying to find lodging while completing the census procedure. Census travelers are urged to contact their relatives for living space while in Bethlehem.