Caesar Augustus, who ruled the Roman Empire from 27 B.C.E.–14 C.E., ordered a census. Everyone had to return to his/her hometown to register. Joseph, who was from the family of David, returned to Bethlehem. He took with him his soon-to-be wife, Mary. At the time, Mary was near the end of her pregnancy. While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, Mary had her baby, Jesus.