Thousands of Miles from Bethlehem
What must it have been like for Joseph and Mary to walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census? And why would Mary even go, so close to delivering a child? It would not have been an easy trip. Most likely they did the normal thing for the time, avoiding Samaria, crossing to the east side of the Jordan River below the Sea of Galilee and then walking south until they crossed back near Jericho and headed up the steep hills to Jerusalem and then further south to Bethlehem. Why did Mary go? Probably because rumors floated around about her unmarried pregnancy and this was a way to have the baby quietly, away from the gossiping town folk of Nazareth. They probably hoped to stay with relatives.
Upon arriving they discover that there is no room in the inn. The “inn” could be translated as a house, and some have even surmised it was the house of relatives. As such, with no room in the house (there may have been other family staying with them for the census), Joseph and Mary were allowed to stay in the adjoining stable, probably connected to the house. Again, we don’t know for sure. Still, Jesus was born in a stable, wherever it was located, wrapped in the swaddling clothes used for newborn lambs, and placed in a feeding trough. Eventually John the Baptist would proclaim, “Behold, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Fitting that Jesus would be born in such a place, wrapped in the clothes of a firstborn spotless lamb that would have been saved for sacrifice later.
This theme is continued as shepherds show up to worship the baby. Angels had appeared to them in the fields, a “great company of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Many people don’t realize that a “heavenly host” is a phrase used to mean “an army of angels.” This wasn’t a choir. It was an army who instead of shouting cadence, shouted glory to God! The shepherds go to find the baby they’ve been told about. They find him, along with Joseph and Mary, in the stable. Alone, maybe, or with family from the house the stable was connected to, but now joined by lowly shepherds. We are told, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” We should do that too.
Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Can we truly fathom this? God has come in the form of a baby, born to a normal woman and a surrogate father, in a lonely, dirty, dark stable. Not in a mansion with admiring princes and princesses within Jerusalem but surrounded by animals and shepherds in this out of the way town of Bethlehem. But it is where David was from, just as the prophecies declared.
The road won’t get easier. Joseph will set up business and they will live for a while in Bethlehem. But later when the magi arrive, Herod will seek to kill all the children under 2. Warned, Joseph, Mary and the toddler Jesus travel further away to Egypt, not returning to Nazareth until told it is safe. It’s a long journey, physically and emotionally and spiritually. It sometimes is for you and me also.
As we celebrate Christmas, thousands of miles from Bethlehem, it’s worthwhile to remember the advent of God’s son, Jesus. But we are never told to do that in scripture. We are told to celebrate his death and resurrection when we gather regularly, this event that eventually takes place as his journey culminates in the sacrifice needed. He is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. But we must cooperate. Wherever you are, honor him this season and in the year to come!
Upon arriving they discover that there is no room in the inn. The “inn” could be translated as a house, and some have even surmised it was the house of relatives. As such, with no room in the house (there may have been other family staying with them for the census), Joseph and Mary were allowed to stay in the adjoining stable, probably connected to the house. Again, we don’t know for sure. Still, Jesus was born in a stable, wherever it was located, wrapped in the swaddling clothes used for newborn lambs, and placed in a feeding trough. Eventually John the Baptist would proclaim, “Behold, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Fitting that Jesus would be born in such a place, wrapped in the clothes of a firstborn spotless lamb that would have been saved for sacrifice later.
This theme is continued as shepherds show up to worship the baby. Angels had appeared to them in the fields, a “great company of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Many people don’t realize that a “heavenly host” is a phrase used to mean “an army of angels.” This wasn’t a choir. It was an army who instead of shouting cadence, shouted glory to God! The shepherds go to find the baby they’ve been told about. They find him, along with Joseph and Mary, in the stable. Alone, maybe, or with family from the house the stable was connected to, but now joined by lowly shepherds. We are told, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” We should do that too.
Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Can we truly fathom this? God has come in the form of a baby, born to a normal woman and a surrogate father, in a lonely, dirty, dark stable. Not in a mansion with admiring princes and princesses within Jerusalem but surrounded by animals and shepherds in this out of the way town of Bethlehem. But it is where David was from, just as the prophecies declared.
The road won’t get easier. Joseph will set up business and they will live for a while in Bethlehem. But later when the magi arrive, Herod will seek to kill all the children under 2. Warned, Joseph, Mary and the toddler Jesus travel further away to Egypt, not returning to Nazareth until told it is safe. It’s a long journey, physically and emotionally and spiritually. It sometimes is for you and me also.
As we celebrate Christmas, thousands of miles from Bethlehem, it’s worthwhile to remember the advent of God’s son, Jesus. But we are never told to do that in scripture. We are told to celebrate his death and resurrection when we gather regularly, this event that eventually takes place as his journey culminates in the sacrifice needed. He is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. But we must cooperate. Wherever you are, honor him this season and in the year to come!