So why are we remembering a journey taken over 2000 years ago by an ordinary young So why are we remembering a journey
ring a journey taken over 2000 years ago by an ordinary young
woman and her fiancé? woman and her fiancé?
Mary and Joseph’s real-life counterparts lived in the Middle East around 0 BC (their baby, Mary and Joseph’s real-life counterparts lived in the Middle East around 0 BC (their baby,
Jesus, was probably born around 4 BC). Mary was a young Jewish woman from a small village Jesus, was probably born around 4 BC). Mary was a young Jewish woman from a small village
called Nazareth, engaged to be married to the carpenter Joseph when she was told by the called Nazareth, engaged to be married to the carpenter Joseph when she was told by the
angel Gabriel that she was going to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. This was quite a angel Gabriel that she was going to become pregnant by the Holy Spirit. This was quite a
shock, particularly as the angel told her that the baby boy was to be called Jesus because he shock, particularly as the angel told her that the baby boy was to be called Jesus because he
would be the saviour of the world. would be the saviour of the world.
Joseph needed some persuading – by another angel – that Mary had not been unfaithful to Joseph needed some persuading – by another angel – that Mary had not been unfaithful to
him, but agreed to marry Mary and look after the baby as if he was his own. You can read him, but agreed to marry Mary and look after the baby as if he was his own. You can read
these stories in the Bible in Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25. these stories in the Bible in Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25.
At the time Israel was occupied by the Romans and when Mary’s pregnancy was well At the time Israel was occupied by the Romans and when Mary’s pregnancy was well
advanced, she had to travel, with Joseph to the city of his ancestors, Bethlehem, so that they advanced, she had to travel, with Joseph to the city of his ancestors, Bethlehem, so that they
could be counted in a census. The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was about 70 miles could be counted in a census. The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was about 70 miles
as the crow flies, but in order to avoid hilly and dangerous routes, they probably travelled as the crow flies, but in order to avoid hilly and dangerous routes, they probably travelled
between 80 and 90 miles during the course of a week or so. between 80 and 90 miles during the course of a week or so.
The Bible does not tell us how they travelled – as a poor family The Bible does not tell us how they travelled – as a poor family
they might not have been able to afford a donkey, but with many they might not have been able to afford a donkey, but with many
travellers on the same road, kind neighbours might have lent her a travellers on the same road, kind neighbours might have lent her a
seat on an animal or in a cart to rest her weary legs. We also do not seat on an animal or in a cart to rest her weary legs. We also do not
know exactly when they arrived in Bethlehem or how long it was know exactly when they arrived in Bethlehem or how long it was
before the baby was born. We do know that there was no room for before the baby was born. We do know that there was no room for
them at the inn – translated to mean a lodging house or a guest them at the inn – translated to mean a lodging house or a guest
room in a family home. Tradition has it, that they found shelter room in a family home. Tradition has it, that they found shelter
where the animals were kept, probably a cave like space under a where the animals were kept, probably a cave like space under a
house. It was in these difficult surroundings Mary gave birth to her house. It was in these difficult surroundings Mary gave birth to her
baby. Again, we do not know whether she had help, we just know baby. Again, we do not know whether she had help, we just know
that when he was born they wrapped him in swaddling clothes and that when he was born they wrapped him in swaddling clothes and
used the animal’s food trough as a makeshift crib. used the animal’s food trough as a makeshift crib.
As you prepare for Christmas this year, spare a thought for Mary and As you prepare for Christmas this year, spare a thought for Mary and
Joseph on their journey. On Christmas Day, think of the new-born Joseph on their journey. On Christmas Day, think of the new-born
who, although he such a strange and humble beginning, would grow who, although he such a strange and humble beginning, would grow
up to be the most talked about, written about and influential man up to be the most talked about, written about and influential man
who has ever lived, and who Christians believe was actually God! who has ever lived, and who Christians believe was actually God!
