How Do We Get to Bethlehem?

Mary and Joseph got imperial notice that they had to make their way to Bethlehem. Caesar Augustus had ordered a census. The authorities were forcing everyone to return to their hometown. Magistrates would add their names to the tax roles there.

I imagine Joseph looking at Mary and saying, “How do we get to Bethlehem?” It’s not like they could jump in their car or even hitch up their wagon. In response, Mary shrugged and said, “By foot, of course!”

Walking roughly twenty miles a day, the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem would have taken Mary and Joseph four grueling days. Over the years readers of Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth have concluded that Joseph must have brought along a donkey for the very pregnant Mary to ride. That’s not how I see it.

Set aside the fact that Luke says not one word about a pack animal. Consider who…