Most interesting. Thank you, Ann for telling me about this.
The writer of this Watchtower takes a position on the "70 years" that runs counter to the position taken in the July 2012 Awake. I wrote a response to that article, which is available at:
http://www.jwstudies.com/Is_Awake_accurate_about_Messiah_s_anointing.pdf
This latest Watchtower article upholds points that I made in my Study. The other Study I wrote in response to that July 2012 Awake is available at:
http://www.jwstudies.com/Did_Israel_s_ruler_come_from_Bethlehem.pdf
Regarding the birth narratives: the earliest writers, Paul and then Mark, do not mention the birth. Neither does John. That leaves us with Matthew and Luke. When their stories are laid side by side, there are several incompatible contradictions. Were Jesus' parents already living in Bethlehem or did they have to travel there? and so on and on. Would a responsible husband expect his heavily pregnant wife take that journey? Why does history show that the "census" did not take place in the required year?
How did these writers know the details? Luke was neither present nor was he an immediate disciple.
The reality with Matthew is that he invented a story from selected pieces of Hebrew scripture (sound familiar?), distorting it at times, misapplying passages and so on to make them fit his predetermined outcome (familiar story?).
Overall, it is most probable that Jesus was born in Nazareth, not in Bethlehem.
Doug