If we consider the birth of John, Jesus' cousin, and all the festivals and timing of them we come to know that Jesus' birth was sometime in late August to early October. Although some scholars conclude it was July or August.
Mary and Joseph's trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem took 4 or more days by foot. Most people say it was an 80 mile walk but some who have actually walked the trail claim it to be 120 miles. That time of year, the temperature was often 120 degrees. There was little water or food along the way and the trip for Joseph with a pregnant Mary had to be difficult. There was also great concern for the attacks of robbers along such trails. The good news might be that many people were making that same trip and perhaps Mary and Joseph enjoyed some protection by traveling with others.
This would not have been the first trip for Mary who was from Nazareth. She would have made this trip with her parents many times. In fact, this trip to Bethlehem from Nazareth was just the start of Mary's journeys. I read an account of a person who put together all the walking Mary had done starting with her trips to Bethlehem as a child. He added her trip with Joseph to Bethlehem. After Jesus was born, they had to run to Egypt to escape King Herod's attempt to kill the baby Jesus, which was a 350 mile walk. Once things settled down, God instructed Joseph to return to Nazareth which was another 400 miles. Mary went with Jesus on His journeys all the way to His crucifixion in Jerusalem. The miles traveled by Mary have been estimated to be 12,187. The interesting comment made by the person offering that total was, that at the Equator, she would have walked half way around the Earth. The entire distance around Earth at the Equator is 24, 901.5 miles.
During their walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem, they would have passed small villages, many olive groves, and Jericho, including the area where Jesus was tempted by Satan. Today they call the trail the Nativity Trail and you can visit it and make the journey with a guide with the trip ending at the place of Jesus' birth.
If we consider Mary and Joseph's journey at this point in time as I write, they must have been tired and hungry. Perhaps they were concerned their decreasing energy levels would prevent them from getting to Bethlehem in time to meet the decree of the Romans. What if Jesus would be born on the trail? Would His birth on the trail make them late for the census? So far, they had escaped any threat of robbers but as they got closer to Bethlehem, would that probability increase?
Closer and closer they got. Had they been with a group of travelers, could they feel everyone's excitement as the end of the journey drew near? Perhaps many would see family members and friends they had not seen for a year. Perhaps they were so tired, they could only put one foot in front of another. One more day. One more half a day. Now needing to rest more often as Mary came closer to delivery and they grew more and more tired on the difficult journey. Perhaps as they grew tired, the typical four day trip became five or six.
Each step came slower and more difficult but they pushed on. Mary could feel the baby more and more, then off in the distance they could make out Bethlehem and onward they moved excited for rest in a clean room and a good bed rather than the ground.
Finally, they arrived at Bethlehem. The place was over crowded, noisy, and filled with chaos. Perhaps Mary sat, wearied and exhausted but excited for this new little one who would soon come into the world. Perhaps Jospeh ran from inn to inn looking for that warm, safe, and comfortable place for their little family to enjoy what would become the birthday of the Messiah, Emmanuel, the Savior.
Joseph may have tried to find a room at one inn, he may have tried to find a room at ten inns. He may have become frustrated, discouraged even angry at their situation. He too was tired. He too was concerned with having a good place for Mary to deliver the little one. They had been through so much. His and her honor had been challenged, for how could Mary be with child if she was a virgin? Many may have condemned them, not only for being with child but lying about how it came to be. Really? God gave her this child? Who were they kidding? Perhaps they wondered what kind of reception they would get when they returned home from the census with the baby. Perhaps they considered not going back to Nazareth at all.
Perhaps there was only one inn left. Joseph had heard it too many times by now, "we have no rooms." Maybe he was starting to think they would be sleeping in the street. Perhaps Mary worried as it had been some time since Joseph set off to find a room. Maybe he had been robbed and beaten or worse, been killed by robbers. How would she manage her baby's birth all alone, lying in an alley?
Perhaps she looked up with a tear in her eye and saw Joseph walking toward her all in one piece. Maybe he had a half smile on his face. She may have felt relief and some joy but also concern for the half of the smile that was not on his face. Joseph told Mary of his adventure and that at the last moment a kind innkeeper offered them a dry, warm, quiet place in the barn next to his inn and only at half price! They rejoiced that after all their concern God provided a place. Little did they know how special this place would be. Little did they know Jesus wold be born in a manger and for the rest of time, songs would be sung about His modest birth. Little did they know the Messiah, Emmanuel, the Savior of mankind would be born in humble surroundings and that those surroundings would reflect how the King of Kings would not be a king of palaces and armies but instead be the King of love, mercy, and forgiveness.
They settled in and waited and as the stars filled the skies there was one brighter than all the rest. That star, that appeared to be the center of the heavens, seemed to be right above the barn while they held the One who was the center of God's great plan to rescue mankind.
The long awaited promise of the Messiah had been given. God had sent His only Son to dwell among us. He was here to teach and love and live and die so we would all have a Savior.
They knew they held Jesus in their arms for they had been told what His name was to be. I wonder did they also see Him as Messiah, Emmanuel, and Savior?
Could they begin to imagine the little one they held would one day heal the sick, feed thousands of people from a couple bites of food, or raise the dead? Could they understand He would give His life for all mankind on a Roman cross?
Could they know the One they called Jesus would be called;
Advocate, Almighty, Author of Salvation, Bread of Life, Bridegroom, Capstone, the Christ, Creator, God, Good Shepherd, Great High Priest, High Priest, Holy, Hope of Salvation, King of the Jews, Judge of the living and the dead, King of Kings, Lamb of God, Light of the World, Lion of Judah, Lord of All, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Master, Mediator, Mighty God, Morning Star, Only Begotten Son of God, Good Shepherd, Hope of Glory,King Eternal, Messiah, Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, Son of God, Redeemer, Passover Lamb, Rabbi, Precious Cornerstone, Teacher, Savior, the Word?
For now, they only knew one of His names, Jesus.
In fact, could they have imagined there would be over 200 terms used to describe the innocent little baby in the manger?
Can we?
On this Christmas Day we celebrate tomorrow, whether Jesus' birth was actually in August or December, we celebrate a baby who became a man who has been written, debated and talked about ever since this day we treasure. In fact, all of time has been separated as B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (After Death).
This Christmas Day we worship so much more than a baby in a manger, we celebrate the
One who came to pay the penalty for ALL our sin and wrongdoing. We celebrate the One who has become the One who speaks to the Father on our behalf. We celebrate the One who offers us life everlasting because of all He has done.
Because of who He is and all He has done, we have great reason to rejoice this day! This day is about so much more than gifts, meals, lights, and family ... it is about the great works and plan of a great and loving God who sent His very Son to live among us to accomplish what we cannot, so we can live in eternity with Him. This day we celebrate He who changes the verdict of our life from, "Condemned to death" to "forgiven and pardoned."
As we wonder if Mary and Joseph could imagine just who that little baby was and what He would do, do we comprehend and treasure who that little baby is and what He has done?
This Christmas Day, can we not worship food and wine nor North Face or jewelers creations? Could we not worship the satisfaction and accolades we might receive for giving great and costly gifts?
This Christmas Day can we realize how much has been done for us? Can we really try to understand how great The Gift is that has been given to us? Can we feel the burden of the death penalty lifted from us and rejoice and praise the very One who has lifted it?
Let all the world rejoice for unto us this day, in the city of David has been
born - FOR YOU- a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. No longer be afraid to believe for this day, you have been given good news of great joy which is for ALL people, yes -even you and me. That good news is the forgiveness of sins and life eternal through Jesus Christ!
Now THAT is something to celebrate!
Christmas Blessings to you all!