Judea was a Roman province under a procurator and a puppet king. Both Herod the Great and Herod Antipas were ruthless. Remember Caesar Augustus' famous statement: "I would rather be Herod's pig than Herod's son" as Herod had killed his wife and two of his sons.
Do not think that Joseph, Mary and Jesus lived in a happy, idyllic Little House on the Jordan type of existence. Judea was not the Oklahoma Territories, or Minnesota, or Iowa.
The Roman government was, as you know, highly organized and efficient. That type of government is a two-edged sword, as the same organization and efficiency may be used against the people as well as for the people. The Jews were considered to be low subjects by the Romans.
Pray for the graces this Holy Family had. Pray that Christ is the centre of your family life.
