A trek to Bethlehem

I’ve never really thought through the travels of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary is always depicted riding a donkey while Joseph walks by her side. From scripture, it seems like they leave Nazareth and the next thing you know they are in a stable and Mary is giving birth to Jesus. It’s around 80 miles from one town to the other and travel by foot could have led to a 4-7 day journey depending on how quickly they moved. My guess is a nine month, pregnant women didn’t move too fast. Preparations and supplies would have certainly been needed for so many days on the road.

I wonder if they were afraid to journey given Mary’s state. An unexpected trip in the ninth month of pregnancy isn’t high on one’s to do list. What if Mary went into labor before they arrived in Bethlehem? Were they concerned about the path they would take, the dangers of traveling, the bandits that might be lurking? Did they travel alone or did others accompany them? Where would they stop for rest on this multi day trip? I wonder who helped them along the way? Did they stay with people they knew or did they rely on strangers? There were plenty of unknowns that awaited them as they began their trek to Bethlehem.

I think about the dialog Joseph and Mary might have had. Did they talk about meeting their newborn and holding him in their arms? Did they talk about their new life as a family? Did they take turns encouraging teach other when discouragement, fatigue or worry crept in along the many days of walking? Did Joseph worry the entire trip about Mary’s condition? Did Mary reassure Joseph that all was well? Or vice verse, did Joseph comfort Mary? Was their trip filled with long periods of silence as they contemplated what God had asked of them and what this would all mean? Was their trip filled with God’s little miracles and provisions and did they marvel at His ways? Was their trust in God so complete that they just journeyed along in peace knowing that their Father in heaven would take care of all things?

A trust so complete that you can truly rest anywhere along the journey. A trust so complete that you are assured that all your needs will be provided for. A trust so complete that there is confidence in being on the path set before you. A trust so complete that joy and contentment are the gifts received along the journey, regardless of how fast or slow we go. A trust so complete that the circumstances surrounding our journey are just part of the scenery because we know that our trek will lead us to Bethlehem; a place of hope and a place of new life. May our walk to Bethlehem provide an opportunity for greater trust, where our focus rests on our destination, and our hearts sing out, glory to the New Born King!