The Adoration of the Shepherds by Guido Reni

The entire painting of "The Adoration of the Shepherds" by Guido Reni may be viewed at
the National Gallery in the United Kingdom. Above left, is a close up of his version and
 right, is a portrait of Guido Reni.

       "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you ; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, Iving in a manger. 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. 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. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." (from the Gospel of Luke, second chapter)

An engraving inspired by "The Adoration of the Shepherds" by Guido Reni.

       The decree of Caesar was, correctly speaking, "that an enrollment, or census, of the people should be made," and, Cyrenius, " an active soldier and rigid commissioner," was, probably, sent upon this service, so unpleasant to Herod, and so unpopular in Syria. The government of Herod had not given satisfaction to the emperor, who rejected all attempts of the tetrarch to explain his conduct, and even added, "that having hitherto treated him as a friend, he should henceforth treat him as a subject." After this sentence, it was resolved that Syria should be degraded to the rank of a Roman province; a change which took place eleven years after the birth of Christ. Much strictness was observed in taking the Roman census; the returns of age and property were made on oath, and under the penalty of confiscation of goods in case of delinquency. The object of the census was the imposition of a capitation tax, males from fourteen years, and females from twelve, being included within its operation. As the collector was, in all probability, accompanied by a strong armed force, to secure the ready execution of his orders, none ventured to disobey them, and Joseph, knowing the peremptory nature of the decree, not-withstanding Mary's pregnancy, immediately proceeded with her to Bethlehem, "his own city," to be there enrolled.