Trusting God and the Journey to Bethlehem

Rosemary Bogdan contemplates the trials and challenges faced by Mary and Joseph as they trusted God on that most difficult journey to Bethlehem.

How anguished must Saint Joseph have been when that census order arrived. How could he take his sweet, beautiful wife all the way to Bethlehem in her condition? 

 And how did it happen that all the inns in Bethlehem were full when they arrived?  

Saint Joseph and his love for Mary 

I imagine the good Saint Joseph took his responsibility to care for and protect the Christ-Child very seriously. So maybe this is what happened: 

As they walked the long distance to Bethlehem perhaps Saint Joseph, in his kindness, suggested they stop frequently. Imagine riding on a donkey while nine months pregnant. Perhaps the discomfort was very evident on Mary’s face. Maybe she needed regularly to get off the donkey and walk. And then, after walking a bit, needed to climb back on the donkey, in her exhaustion. There would be no comfortable way for a full-term pregnant woman to make this trip.  

Saint Joseph’s kindly care 

I imagine Saint Joseph decided multiple times that they should stop and rest. Perhaps they put a blanket down on a shaded bank under a tree. Saint Joseph would have assured Mary that it was fine. He knew that her welfare was more important than when they would arrive in Bethlehem. It was his job to care for her and the Child, and nine months pregnant is a very fragile state. Perhaps the experience even triggered labor. 

Saint Joseph trusting God’s Providence 

 He was probably scared, but what could he do? Arriving in Bethlehem, he finds the inns are all full. Mary’s breathing begins to quicken, signaling the time is near. At inn after inn, they are turned away. Surely Saint Joseph knew that God had a plan but, as we all do, perhaps he wondered when it would become clear. We don’t understand what God is thinking. But we know, as Saint Joseph knew, that God does have a plan and that His plans are always good, regardless of how troubling they might seem at first. 

Did Saint Joseph wonder if she was going to deliver right there on the street? How could he let that happen? Can’t anyone find a little corner somewhere for us? 

Finally, the offer of a stable  

They rush to get to the stable joining the animals, everyone struggling to stay warm, and Mary and Joseph trying to trust God in this distressing situation. 

At least they were off the street. At least they had a modicum of shelter. Even the poor tired donkey could rest.  

The Christ-Child arrives. The stable is lit by the Star of David that makes it bright as day. Imagine the tranquility. Suddenly the stable feels warm, filled with inexplicable peace emanating from the Presence of the Son of God, Emmanuel, lying there an innocent babe in a feeding trough. Here, in this most unlikely of places, lies Baby Jesus, the Savior of all mankind. 

 The shepherds are told by an angel the location of the newborn King and they arrive to greet Him. They tell Mary and Joseph how they found out — thus confirming that this was indeed God’s plan. 

The paradoxical birth of a King 

Perhaps Mary and Joseph wondered why God would have wanted his Son to be born in such a lowly place, lying in a manger. How and why was this part of His plan? They probably could not answer that question with any earthly logic. They just had to trust that God’s ways are not our ways. This was surely among the first paradoxes that Mary kept in her heart. 

Blessed be God in all His ways. 

May we trust God always, no matter the circumstances, just as Mary and Joseph did during their arduous journey to Bethlehem and the stable.  

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Copyright 2024 Rosemary Bogdan
Images: (top) Canva; all others iStockPhoto.com, licensed for use by Holy Cross Family Ministries