What actually happened between the time
of the decree to go and register and Mary and Joseph finally arriving in
Bethlehem is only speculation. Perhaps
it was like this.
Here is my version of this story. Settle in, grab a hot java or warm eggnog,
snuggle up with your favorite person and read this one out loud.
Galilee was buzzing with the news. Every one – every person was required by law
to go to their place of origin and register for the nationwide census.
Plans were made. Belongings were packed. Food was properly cured, stored, wrapped and
preserved for the trip, and perhaps lists were made of all of the caravans that
would be coming through Galilee and on which days so that those who wanted
could join up.
Joseph made their trip arrangements while
Mary took care of their provisions. He
selected Zek’s caravan. He knew him from
the village and had made a few benches and trunks for Zek’s wagons. At least they would be in the company of
friends and trusted travelers for their eighty-mile trek.
The average man could walk about 20 miles
a day, so this journey was a journey of four days.
The day came and the journey began. There was a lot of joviality and excited
conversations as they began. The
countryside slowly eased past as they trudged along.
Mary had to make a few more stops than
the average woman, due to her condition, and after the first night Zek pulled
Joseph aside and told him the unfortunate news.
“Tomorrow,
we’ve gonna have to go ahead. You and
Mary are holding us up. I’m sorry.”
Mary tried to bear up bravely, but the
journey, the donkey and her pregnancy was no match for the rapid pace the
caravan took.
True to his word, on the second morning Zek
moved on ahead leaving Mary and Joseph in the dust of their trail.
Now alone, Joseph looked worried. How will we make it? What will I do if some bad sorts of men come
along? Maybe we can join another caravan. I think I see some dust stirring behind us.
Other caravans came and went, and they all
left Mary and Joseph eating the dust of their tracks.
Mary, however, was not perplexed. She had a promise. She had hope.
The direct message from the angel was this: “the
power of the most high will overshadow you.”
Yes, that message was for the miracle of
the birth of her baby, and it was for the journey leading them to His
birth.
In other words, as God often has said to
others, “Be not afraid nor dismayed, for I
the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
They missed the fun around the campfires
of the caravan. They missed the shared
meals; they missed Elisabeth’s special way with the standing rib roast, and the
special sauté of onions, leeks, garlic, with roasted potatoes, and they missed
the stories and laughter at night.
But they showed up in plenty of time and
they were kept safe.
They had a rendezvous with destiny, and
God got them there on time.
P Michael
Biggs
Offering Hope
Encouragement Inspiration
One Word at a Time
