Posted on 12/24/2023 8:13:13 AM PST by OneVike
(Disclaimer)
This is just embellished story, so please 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.
I ask that you allow yourself to truly see what it must have been like for a husband and her 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. Here are some of the particulars involved that they had to face.
“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)
“Mary and Joseph’s Journey To Bethlehem”
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.”
Mary turns pale and begins to tremble in fear.
“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.
“I will collect some food for our journey.”
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
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…..……….. follow link below to continue reading the story in full…..
( "Journey To Bethlehem")
Some Facts About Mary and Joseph's Journey to Bethlehem
Very good but I hope you weren’t intentionally using the wrong pronoun -
“”her 16 year old pregnant wife””
A frenetic orchestral arrangement of “Carol of the Bells” but musically enjoyable.....by David Foster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvHAkxm0Su4
Nice. Thanks.
No, I edited the first sentence and forgot to edit it from her to his.
I wish at times we could edit things after we post, but it its what it is.
At least I edited it on my website where the story was posted in full
I pray you had a wonderful Christmas.
We did.
Thank you.
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