Advent Day 22: Mary and Joseph's Journey

 

Luke 2:1-5  1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Cesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  2This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, into the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

They traveled to Bethlehem, a distance of about 90 miles and likely they traveled along the River Jordan.  If you're picturing a trip in arid land along a muddy river, think again.  The river's landscape is lush and green and the river curves gently along the way.  It would have been a pleasant journey, most likely, but arduous as well, because the elevation climbs steadily upward as you head into Bethlehem.

It's most likely that they traveled on foot.  If they had a donkey with them it would have been used to carry the items they traveled with.  Food and blankets and water were likely included and because Mary was heavy with child,  she would have brought  swaddling cloths in goodly supply.  

But this wasn't their first time traveling along these roads though it was their first time as husband and wife.  It was a common enough thing to travel to Judea and visit the temple for the feasts three times a year.  Also likely that many young couples went there to dedicate their first born in the Temple as well.  

It was their first time as husband and wife.  The way they traveled physically might have been familiar Marriage  is a journey into unknown territory.  And frankly speaking, you may never really know someone until you've lived with them but you've most certainly never known anyone until you've traveled with them!

The first year as husband and wife are both tender and difficult aren't they?  It is truth to say that living with someone is a learning experience.   You learn who snores and who tends to take the blankets at night.  You learn who wakes chirpy as a sparrow first thing in the morning and who needs to enter a day quietly.  You learn to speak your disappointment and your love.   You learn to be comfortable together.  You learn that the 50/50 rule is non-existent.  All too often it's 90/10, or 60/40 and sometimes it's 20/20!

You learn a good deal about yourself, as well.  Perhaps he speaks love easily, but for you it's more difficult.  Or he has no idea how to love through service which you need.  You each learn to adjust your expectations to what the other is capable of at that time.

A new marriage has so many firsts, too.  Your first meal as husband and wife.  Your first night in the same bed.  Your first morning waking beside one another.  There's the first time you make one another laugh and the first time you make one another cry.  There's the first fight and the first sweet making up after it's over.  One of the sweetest firsts would be the lighting of Shabbat candles in your home.  And your first shared prayers.

The scriptures are disappointingly short on details.  We don't know much about Mary and Joseph individually and even less about them as a couple.  So we are left to imagine them for ourselves, based on who we are.  We can only apply to them the same strengths and flaws we find in ourselves.  So their story becomes truly about us... And their journey becomes our journey.

song:  On the Road to Bethlehem featuring Dolly Parton