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
The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was not an easy trip. Now add in a VERY pregnant Mary possibly riding on donkey (no mention of a donkey in the gospels) or more likely walking. There were several routes that could be taken but the shorter one was much more dangerous and through rougher territory so if I was Joseph I would start out earlier and take my time on the easier route. At the very least they were on the road for at least a week to ten days of straight walking (many sources say 4-5 days, but I suspect none of those sources have done it with a very pregnant woman), sleeping on the ground at night in colder conditions most likely in fall. Going slow, working through the pains of constantly walking and carrying water, food, bedrolls, and money. Traveling in the fall and winter was always more difficult as one needs to find or carry greater amount of supplies for a fire each night. Most likely each day’s goal was to make it to the next spring or well for water. The route goes past a well that most likely Jesus met the Samaritan woman some 30+ years later. And then on to the most difficult hilly miles before descending into Bethel and then later Jerusalem. From Jerusalem it’s just a few hours more of walking to Bethlehem.
Because of the census I’m pretty sure there were more people on the roads than normal, which would have been unusual for the season, but safer for the travelers, as robbers tended to strike those who were alone. The old rule is correct in that there is safety in greater numbers. But one always had to wary when traveling, for it was always a dangerous prospect. So many things could go wrong, plus Mary’s condition would make it even more precarious and difficult.
We in this modern world here in America have life so much easier. We have yet to really encounter a sliver of the difficulty the first century people had to endure in their daily lives. We complain so easily and quickly when we encounter just a touch of difficulty. Then to be made to ‘comply’ to the Government’s edict to travel a great distance at the worst time would have made the trip even more miserable. What do we do when faced with difficulties not of our choosing? Do we immediately complain to all around us? Do we whine and complain making posts all over social media looking for sympathy?
Have you learned how to ‘endure’ hardships? Has the Holy Spirit taught you about His fruit of patience, better known as the ability to suffer long for things you aren’t to blame for? Have you been tested to endure physical pain for long periods of time? Where do you turn when looking for relief? In this day — so many find their “savior” in pharmaceuticals / drugs …as they try to somehow endure the daily pain. Is your Lord your the first place you turn to when encountering difficult situations and encounters? Has He ever supernaturally given you the strength to carry on through the difficulties? Has He provided a way through when there seemed to be no way? Have you ever asked Him in those kinds of times? Or do you immediately seek to solve your problems without ever asking Him?
Consider the advice from James … in his first chapter (In The Message paraphrase version)
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.”
As we move into dangerous times as the world gets more and more out of control we need to learn how to hear Him as the crisis worsens. Our relationship with the Holy Spirit will determine so much of how we deal with the hardships going forward. Isn’t it the time to learn how to hear Him better now? Isn’t it the time to go deeper with Him.. relationally? We need to learn to ‘walk with Him’ daily, listening closely to His instructions and advice.