In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole empire should be registered. Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. Luke 2:1,4-5 CSB

Last week, our verses were about God favoring Mary to be the mother of Jesus. This week we meet Joseph, the man who is engaged to Mary. God tells Joseph not to worry. The baby that she is carrying is God’s Son. He is going to be Mary’s husband and Mary will be his wife.

Mary is almost ready to have her baby when the Roman emperor calls for every person to go to their hometown, where they were born, to be registered and counted. Where would you have to travel if this happened today? Joseph is in King David’s family line and so he and Mary set off walking from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

It was 70 to 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem! Mary and Joseph would have met other travelers along the road and would have traveled together in a larger group to keep away robbers. Everyone had to travel to their hometowns. Experts say that it would have taken Joseph and Mary 4 or 5 full days to walk to Bethlehem. Think about walking for as long as you are in school each day, for 5 days in a row. Would you be tired? I know I would.

And when Joseph and Mary finally got to Bethlehem, there were no places to stay. So many people were in Bethlehem that all the inns were full. The only place that was offered to them was an animal stable. And in this lowest, humblest of places, Mary would give birth to Jesus, God’s Son, the Savior of the world.

Joseph and Mary had a hard journey, but God was with them. God gave them strength when they were tired. He made sure they were safe and protected. God gave them rest each night and provided whatever they needed along the way. And God does the same for us, He gives us strength and comfort. He guides us in the way we are to go. God protects and takes care of us. And God gives all of us the greatest Christmas gift of all. Can you name the gift? Yes, it is Jesus!

This week, talk with your parents. Was there a time God journeyed with them and helped them? You are on a journey, too. Each day is a new journey with God by your side. When you get upset or frustrated just remember who is walking with you – God!

Blessings and joy as we journey with our God!

If you want to see a map of Israel at the time when Jesus lived, here is a link.    https://www.bible.ca/maps/