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The Jews were required to go to the Feasts in Jerusalem 3 times a year. Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. I don't know about the Romans, but it make sense to me for them to call for tax collections at these times when Jews from all over would be in town. Jerusalem was about 600k strong at the time of Jesus, but on these Feast Days, they swelled to over 2.5 million. Collecting taxes and counting heads at this time would make Roman work much easier.

Bethlehem was only a couple of miles from Jerusalem and was where the Temple raised all their lambs for slaughter. Bethlehem means "House of Bread" ergo Jesus is the Bread of Life. He was the Lamb of God, so it was fitting He was born where the lambs came from.

Augustus ordered a census throughout the empire. Joseph and Mary headed to bethlehem as instructed by the Romans (go to the town of the husband). if that was during December then it indicates where and when Jesus was born.

Figuring the exact year is tough, but the time of year is possible through the Bible. Luke 1:5 speaks of Zacharias of the division of Abijah, was in the Temple. Going to 1Chron 24:10, we see Abijah was on duty in the 8th course, so we can know when Zacharias was in the Temple. We figure Elizabeth got pregnant about that time and John the Baptist was born most likely around Passover. Jesus was 6 mo. younger so that would put His birth around Tabernacles. Another give away was He was circumcised on "The 8th Day", which is a two day celebration at the end of Tabernacles. Also, "The Light of the World" was part of the Tabernacles Feast, as is "Living water" and other hints that Jesus fulfilled ALL of the Feast of Tabernacles Day prophesies.

Also, Trumpets is called many things by the Jews. They know it as the day the King gets Married. They know it as the day the King is crowned. They know it as the "Hidden day". They know it as the day the books are opened. A theme of Trumpets is the day of opening gates and doors.