If you explore a calendar that embraces a number of spiritual paths and traditions, you'll find that this time of year is full of celebrations.  Many of these celebrations are celebration of beginning and/or renewal.  Central to most of the celebrations is the birth of a divine child. Even the Jewish Hanukah celebration, although it does not include a divine birth, does celebrate the Jerusalem Temple coming "back to life" and staying that way because one day's supply of lamp oil lasted for the eight days needed to make more oil. The implications of a divine child being born are tremendous, and we certainly might expect the local religious and/or political powers-that-be to possibly see this as a challenge to their authority.  And who knows what else might be going on! Blessed Be!