Week Three Reflection: Journey to Bethlehem & Birth of Jesus

Verses to memorize

Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem… (Lk 2:4a)

Passage

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Lk 2:1-7

Questions

1. We know this story. It is the Christmas story. A divine child is born.
   It is beautiful. But let’s look at it through Joseph’s eyes. There is
   another side to it. A: How far is it from Nazareth to Bethlehem?
   A: 90 miles. Q: How did people travel in ancient Israel? A: On foot
   or by donkey. Q: How long would it have taken? A: At least nine
   days, considering Mary’s late term pregnancy. Q: How did they eat
   on a nine day journey? A: They had to bring a skin of water, some
   bread and maybe dried fish.
2. Q: What is on Joseph’s mind for nine days? A: What if Mary
   goes into labor and delivers the child? Where to sleep each night?
   Would they be attacked by robbers or wild animals? Q: Was a trip
   like this ever planned by Joseph? A: No, it was a decree of the
   Roman governor. He did not have a choice.
3. As they approach Bethlehem, Mary tells Joseph that she is in labor.
   Q: Reading between the lines of this very brief account, what was
   the first thing Joseph did? A: He looked for a room in the inn. Q: Did
   he find any? A: No, the town was packed with travelers registering
   for the census. Q: Where does Joseph finally take Mary in her
   distress? A: To a shelter for animals, likely a cave.
4. Q: What is a manger? A: A wooden stand to hold the feed for the
   animals. Q: If Mary wrapped Baby Jesus in “swaddling clothes” and laid
   him in a manger, what does that tell us? A: Answers will vary: Mary
   had to give birth in a dirty place used by animals. Q: Who assisted
   her? A: Joseph, and perhaps women he might have summoned—the
   Gospel gives us few details. For sure, Joseph once again, is called
   upon to help and protect Mary, and now the newborn Christ Child.
   Joseph is all they have!

Video

Courtesy of The Bible Project