A Journey to Bethlehem

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child." Luke 2:1–5

During Advent, many people in Central and South America participate in a tradition known as Las Posadas. This festive celebration centers around the journey of the Holy Family to Bethlehem where initially they are turned away from inns and homes before they are finally provided shelter in a stable – the birthplace of our Lord. Participants may dress up as characters, travel from house to house, reenact the story and sing songs. Eventually, they find welcome and a celebration ensues. 

In other cultures, the story may be reenacted or retold differently. But the story needs to be told.

Can you imagine being in the shoes of the Holy Family?

Even today, with all of our modern conveniences and easy travel, who would choose to travel in the last weeks of pregnancy? What if the baby comes at an unexpected time? What if something goes wrong? What woman would choose the discomfort of travel on top of the discomfort of a late term pregnancy? We wouldn’t want this today. But imagine it in their time! Compelled by the government, they had no choice but to spend days walking the ninety long miles in order to be counted in the census. 

Joseph, too, must have been anxious. He surely felt powerless, unable to help his beloved Mary. He didn’t even know where they might stay. He could only hope that someone would show hospitality.

Perhaps, in this Advent season, you might share some of their feelings. There are times in our lives when we all must take journeys that are not of our choosing. When we must go, hoping and praying that all will be well. At times, we all face circumstances we would never have chosen, but we still must deal with them.

As they traveled, I wonder if Mary reflected on the words of the angel, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:8). Did she feel favored on this journey? Did she ponder the angel’s assurance that God was with her? Whether or not this was consciously in her thoughts, it was true. God journeyed with them, watched over them, and planned their path. God knew where they would be that night because he had chosen that humble stable and lowly circumstances to be the place where, for the first time, mankind would look on the face of their Lord.

In this Advent season, and on the journeys that we face, we might reflect on the same words. The Lord is with you. Whether your journey today is joyful or wearying, you are not alone. The Lord is with you. The one born in Bethlehem will never forsake you!