A Journey To Bethlehem

This is a chapter from my book, "Sleuthing The Scriptures". I wrote the book in late 2022. It's Christmas time again, so I am offering it to me fellow freepers. I pray you enjoy it.

When you think of the first story of Christmas, it’s usually about Mary and Joseph looking down at their new born son in a manger, surrounded by barn animals and maybe a shepherd or two looking on. Angels singing praises of joy to the Lord Most High, and maybe even the star that is guiding the wise men from Babylon to the destination of the Jews Messiah.

We live at a time when children are born in sanitized hospital rooms with the best of care, before and after the mother gives birth. When we hear of stories of women giving birth at home, or alongside the road where the car had to pull over because the child would not wait, we are captivated and amazed of such a thing happening in today’s world.

Yet, for the vast majority of man’s history, women have given birth in conditions we would not expect our pet animals to give birth in. So when you consider what Mary had to endure in her last week leading up to the birth of her first child, I want you to consider the following. Then maybe, just maybe, you will look at the story of Christmas a bit differently than you have in the past.

When you consider that Luke was a Doctor, it kind of makes sense that his version of the Gospel is the only one that tells the story of the birth of Christ. It makes even more sense when you consider that Luke was not just a good friend and traveling companion, but he was also the Apostle Paul’s Doctor. Another point of consideration is that, in Paul’s letter to the Galatians he wrote that he did not receive the Gospel from man, but from Christ Himself. So who better to know the events leading up to the birth of Jesus, than the man He shared it with.

“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
(Galatians 1:11-12)

I ask that you allow yourself to truly see what it must have been like for a husband and his 16 year old pregnant wife as they traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem in the week leading up to the birth of their first child. They were two humans with thoughts, feelings, and faith in the One and only Living God who promised them their child would be special. I offer this story I wrote that has some of the particulars involved that they had to face, along with what could have taken place as they traveled the almost 80 Miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the Inn.”
(Luke 2:7)

(Disclaimer)
This is an embellished story, so do not take it as inspired by GOD. I wrote this for entertainment, and thus it is but a figment of my active imagination mixed with some facts surrounding the times, the places and the characters.

Joseph was in disbelief when he heard, so he asked a friend who was well informed of such matters of Roman affairs. Yes, his friend said, the news just recently arrived. The Roman Senate had ruled that the Jews would not be exempt from Emperor Caesar Augustus’s decree on the census. Joseph thinks to himself, surely not now, not with Mary expecting a child. However, along with all the members of those from David’s lineage, Joseph and his wife Mary, must register for the census in Bethlehem to pay their taxes. Many Jews spoke openly in those days of how, one day soon the Lord’s anointed will free them from their bondage under the accursed Gentiles.

While they didn’t like paying taxes to Rome, it was not the biggest problem they had with Rome. Their problem was being forced to be counted, because GOD had warned them in the Law they should not be counted. With King Herod’s blessing, the Jewish leaders had argued all the way to the Roman Senate when they heard of the decree a few years earlier, but alas they failed to convince the Roman Senate. Most knew the Jewish leaders would fail. After all, the Senate had become nothing more than a rubber stamp for anything the Emperor desired to do. Now, unless they comply, the Romans would come down hard and make everyone’s life miserable. Anyone not appearing at the appointed time could be fined or executed, and this is why Joseph closed his carpenter shop and rushed home to tell Mary the news.

“Mary, something dreadful has happened. The Jewish leaders have lost their argument before the Emperor. All Jews must also obey his census decree. We must go to Bethlehem and we must leave tomorrow morning.”

“But Joseph? How can I possibly go in my condition? It is near time for this Child to be born. I’m already feeling the urges and the pains get more and more powerful as the days go on. How can I ride all that way?”

Joseph pulls Mary to him, and holds her with a comforting embrace and tells her,

“Our Lord will look out for us. He will not desert us. Remember what we have seen and heard. That which our Lord has told us, will happen. I am convinced we will be fine. Why, I bet the Lord has a nice comfortable bed awaiting us in the Inn. All three of us will be OK.”

Mary looks up to her husband and smiles as she draws strength and comfort from his words, and tells her husband.

Joseph conveys strength for Mary so she will not be worried, but inside he cannot help but worry for his young bride who is with Child. Yet, he trusts the Lord, even if his heart is heavy.

As they eat their evening meal, Joseph tells his wife they must take the shortest way to Jerusalem, not the longer one through the plains. It will be more difficult, though. The 3000 year old trading route winds for 70 miles through the rocky highlands, so it will be hard on Mary. For protection, Joseph purchased a place in a caravan that is passing through. It will provide protection from bandits, bears, and mountain lions.

In the morning, Joseph prepares the donkey with enough blankets to make Mary as comfortable as possible. She won’t be able to ride the whole way, since the donkey must also carry the items they need for the long journey. While he prepares the donkey, Mary collects the food and clothes she put together and heads out the door to join Joseph. She stops momentarily as she feels the baby kicking. She knows it will be soon, and prays the Child doesn’t arrive during the long journey.

Joseph helps Mary onto the donkey, and they meet up with the caravan. It’s a good group of people who are friendly. The conversation moves to Mary being pregnant, and how the Romans should be ashamed of themselves. What with them forcing pregnant women and children to travel so far from their home to be counted. The caravan leaves Nazareth in a cloud of dust and yapping dogs. The rich are in their chariots and wagons; the poor on donkeys and on foot. Mary smiles and reassures Joseph that she’s very comfortable, but he knows she worries about the Child.

They begin the trip by descending from the high hills of Galilee, and they pass through the village of Nain. They have no idea that one day their unborn son, Jesus, will restore a widow’s son to life in this village. As they leave Nain Mary observes Mount Tabor way off to the East, where her Son will one day be transfigured during a meeting with Moses and Elijah. The day is long, and the dust fills the air with dirt as the head towards Jerusalem some 65 miles to the South. Mary’s back is already aching terribly by day’s end as she is exhausted. At night, she falls asleep in Joseph’s arms as they lay on the ground.

The next day they reach the plain of Jezreel, carpeted with wildflowers that dot the landscape. However, Mary does not seem to notice much. She does not feel well and misses the comfort of her bed, because sleeping on the ground beside the trail is not easy for her. Joseph is also tired from walking the many miles guiding the donkey and its precious cargo. As they move along they talk about the miracles and God’s plans for their future, while passing the many hours away as they follow the caravan to their destination.

As they travel down the road they are caught in some light rain, with a wind blowing that makes it difficult to keep dry. Joseph wraps a blanket around Mary, praying that it is enough to keep her from getting too wet. The Lord is gracious however as the rain only lasts a short time, keeping them from getting soaked or too cold. Another day goes by on the road as they continue making their way mile by excruciating mile plodding along as the days seem never to end. The caravan passes by the valley of Megiddo where Solomon kept his stables for his 900 chariots and horses. Joseph and Mary are unaware of it, but this is the place where the last battle of mankind will one day take place. A battle we now know will be called Armageddon. The place where the Child in her womb will come and put an end to Satan’s reign.

The weather is cloudy again which is normal for this time of the year, and Joseph worries about being caught in the rain again. It seems that Mary is getting weaker as the miles go on. There are many miles yet to travel, so as he walks beside her, he prays and tries to draw courage from the dream he had. To give the donkey some rest Mary must walk every once in a while for a few miles. Joseph doesn’t let her walk too much, but if they expect the donkey to be strong enough to traverse the mountain road to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, then Mary must walk at times to rest the Donkey.

As they continue climbing in elevation the trip now becomes increasingly difficult. It is a slow trodding journey, yet Joseph and Mary are excited to be in the places they have learned about in the synagogue. Joseph looks to the East and sees Mount Gilboa, as he is reminded of the battle that took King Saul and his son Jonathan’s life, and how David lamented the loss of his beloved friend.

“O mountains of Gilboa, Let there be no dew nor rain upon you, Nor fields of offerings. For the shield of the mighty is cast away there! The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. From the blood of the slain, From the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty.”
(2 Samuel 1:21-22)

Mary and Joseph pass time by talking of the history of the area they are passing through. Like the area near the town of Dothan they are approaching, which long before it existed was the spot according to the Torah, where Jacob’s sons sold their brother into slavery. In remembrance of that bitter time, they recite a psalm, as a special prayer to protect themselves from such trials as Joseph experienced.

“They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him. The king sent and released him, The ruler of the people let him go free.He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his possessions,To bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom. Israel also came into Egypt, And Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham.He increased His people greatly, And made them stronger than their enemies. He turned their heart to hate His people, To deal craftily with His servants.”
(Psalm 105:16-25)

As the caravan keeps moving Mary feels the Child kick and move around as her back begins to ache with every step the donkey takes on the uneven road. The day drags on with mile after painful mile as Joseph notices that his young bride isn’t smiling as much, and seems far off in her thoughts. They stop for the night, and Joseph gently lifts her up off the burrow and comforts her with a loving hug and tells her,

“You know our Lord would not let anything bad happen to us. We must have faith that He will protect us.”

Mary sighs as she looks into the eyes of the man who has been so good to her and smiles as she replies,

“Yes, I know he will, Joseph. It’s just that sometimes the pain and weariness get to me.”

“Yes, me too. Come, let us eat. Then we can lie down and sleep for the evening. Tomorrow will be another day.”

The morning sun breaks over the horizon, as the caravan gets an early start. They now face the most difficult part of the day. Neither slept well on the ground, but today makes them especially thankful, because this day will mark the halfway point of their journey. They pass within ten miles of the Samaritan town of Shechem, as Mary yearns, as all Jews do, for a cool cup of water from Jacob’s well. One day Mary’s Child will visit the well, and a Samaritan woman will draw water for Him and receive salvation.

The journey is long, and one of the days will be on the Sabbath, which means a day of much needed rest for the.......

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I realize the story was probably not completely historically accurate, but it was a good one as it pointed out the difficulties of Mary & Joseph’s long journey & the joy when their precious son was born. I must admit I cried some when I read it as it was very moving.

These ‘Sidebar’ observations always give a bit More substance to Scripture which some curl up there nose to. ‘The Chosen’ fascinates me as it Has so Many Jewish Holidays interwoven with building the Characters in Awsome Settings. IMHO
.
GOD BLESS You and Yours FRiend.

I heard that perhaps the MAGI were instructed by the Prophet Daniel with centuries of Information passed down to them of The Soon Coming Jewish Messiah !
.
Interesting ‘sidebar’.
.
God tells the Ending from the Beginning.

I agree with that.

He was a very influential man. Not just for the Jews, but also for the Babylonians and Persians.

Thus as you say, we learn from Peter and John

Peter in 1Peter 1:19-20
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

And John in Revelation 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

I should probably add the scripture leading up to Rev 13:8 so that it is given in proper context. Otherwise it sounds off.

4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Seldom mentioned origin of the name Bethlehem.

Beit (בֵּית): House, dwelling.
Lechem (לֶחֶם): Bread.

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