Mary's Experience The Week Christ Was Born

 This week will culminate in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As I was thinking about writing this post today, my thoughts went to a young girl, traveling with her new husband from Nazareth, a city in the northern region of Galilee to Bethlehem for the census. A young girl who was nine months pregnant.

How difficult it must have been for Mary, during this particular week. She was nine months pregnant, had to ride a donkey, which would not have been comfortable, but especially being pregnant. It says it would have taken about four days for them to walk the distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem. The distance was between 70 and 90 miles. The terrain was unpaved and had steep slopes, with changes in elevation. Imagine what it must have been like for Mary.

Then after a long journey, they are told there is no room for them at the inn. She is close to giving birth. They need shelter. What were they going to do? No one knew that the Savior of the world was about to be born! 

The Innkeeper directed Joseph to the stable, he must have noticed their desperation. I can see Joseph now, gathering straw and pushing it together for Mary. The animals surely wondered what was happening.

This week, let us give thought to what Mary and Joseph went through. Putting ourselves in their situation, gives us a better understanding of what happened as we get close to the birth of the Christ Child.

Blessings!