The news came. The census was to be taken. The registration would have to be made in Bethlehem.
In one sense it was not necessary for Mary to go. Joseph could have registered his family. But Mary's going along solved two problems. The first was the early birth to the newly married couple. They could not get to Bethlehem and back before the baby would be born.
The second concern that would be solved was the fulfillment of the very familiar passage predicting the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Mary had every reason to go.
But going would not be easy. It would be at least three days of riding on a donkey. This has been powerfully placed in our mind through art, imagination, and literature.
The decision still had to be made about which route to take. They could have gone through the central valley, winding through the hills of Samaria. This would be the shortest way. But it would mean contact with the Samaritans. It would be the colder route, possibly more uncomfortable for Mary. Or they could take the southeast route across the Plain of Esdraelon, down to the Jordan River valley as far as Jericho.
All of us have plans to make regarding our Advent journey to Bethlehem. Some are for comfort; some are to make sure we arrive at the manger.
THE PRAYER: Bless our Advent planning, Lord. There are alternative ways we can go. Bless the choices we make. Amen.
|
