Journey to Bethlehem – Bethlehem

Steven Lake Posted on Posted in Life Well-Lived Tagged with

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.”  Luke 2:4

Introduction:
When our children were very young the family headed off by car from Chicago to visit my parents in Florida. We left at 4:00 a.m. and drove straight through without rest stops for the next 22 hours. Big mistake!  It was our first (and only) long distance car trip. Thereafter, we flew to vacation destinations.

Joseph and Mary traveled about 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was a long distance trip in those days, and it wasn’t an easy trip either. Nazareth is in the hill country west of the Sea of Galilee in the northern part of Israel. Bethlehem is located in Judea west of the Dead Sea in southern Israel about 5 miles south of Jerusalem. It was an arduous journey for a pregnant woman.

In-depth:

Census

  • Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, ordered a census – the first one.
  • It was the first census of the entire Roman Empire.
  • Purpose: taxation (some things never change!).
  • Men had to go to the hometown of their ancestors.
  • Reason: that’s where the family records were kept.

Joseph

  • Traveled from Nazareth, where he lived, to Bethlehem.
  • Joseph was of the line of David who was born in Bethlehem.

Mary

  • Traveled with Joseph to Bethlehem.
  • She was an unknown number of months pregnant.
  • The couple was pledged to be married (still engaged).

Conclusion:
Imagine this young couple as they traveled to Bethlehem. Most commentators believe that Mary was in her late teens, possibly 17 years old. Joseph was probably older, perhaps 30 years of age. Mary probably rode on a donkey that also carried their supplies. Joseph most likely walked the entire distance. What thoughts were running through their minds?  The gossip?  The pregnancy? The baby to be born?  The future? What emotions were they feeling?  Fear?  Apprehension?  Excitement?

Prayer:
“Lord, I sometimes forget that the individuals mentioned in the Bible were real people. Thank You for reminding me how it must have been for them. Amen.”

© 2013 Steven A. Lake

About

Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.