What we don’t really know about the Christmas story.
Mary went with Joseph on the trip to do the census in the town of Bethlehem.
She didn’t have to go as she was not his wife, and the custom was for families to be counted.
[Luke 2: He went with Mary his fiancée, who was pregnant.}
Our Pastor said there were a few ideas why she went with him.
Joseph was told by the angel to name the baby Jesus and if he had gone without her; the baby might have been born before he returned, and the baby might have been named something else.
The other idea was she was so far along Joseph didn’t feel right about leaving her alone, she he took her with him to be close to her.
Another idea was to protect her, for to be pregnant and not married would cause her to be in great harm.
He was saving her life by taking her with him.
Another idea was he had to follow the direction given for them to have a baby in a manger fulfilling the prophecy written.
[6-7 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn.
She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel there.]
Remember this is in the middle of a census which would mean many rooms would be full and many homes not available. We often remember the part of the story about Joseph going door to door asking for a room and the innkeeper said, “there is no room in the inn.”
We don’t really know if that actually happened.
I also read somewhere that if he was to meet family on his side they might have not accepted her, because of her condition.
What we do know, Mary and Joseph was to have their little baby in a quiet little stable among sheep and cows and the smell of hay.
Maybe after being with Elizabeth Mary knew more of what to expect during labor and delivery, there might not have been anyone to help her other than Joseph.
I’m not sure if they tore the donkey’s blanket and made a swaddling cloth for the baby.
Perhaps they packed a few baby item’s just incase they were needing it.
We are not told about the conversations between them, or the discomfort of Mary while traveling.
Anyone who has ever been pregnant in those late months knows how difficult this journey would be for her.
Whether she walked or rode the donkey we know it was not easy or comfortable for her.
We don’t know many things about this Christmas story but we do know it was supposed to take place.
In the little town of Bethlehem so scripture could be fulfilled.