Luke 2:4-7
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
This was not an easy journey for either Joseph or Mary. To travel on foot or by donkey (no one really knows if Mary rode a donkey… it is also possible that they traveled in a caravan and not alone because it was dangerous to travel alone) … but in any case, the journey was at least 4 days and longer if they went around Samaria. And then, the birth, with no midwife? Of course, it’s possible the innkeeper’s wife assisted. Still, it was not easy… a strange place, her first child, and she was really so young.
Yes, this was an arduous journey. We have them too. And yet, I do believe God is in the hardest of paths. It is the only way I hold off despair.
Leave a Reply