Luke 2:4-7 - Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
It is hard to imagine taking your wife on a road trip when she is 9 months pregnant. It would be even harder to imagine doing so on foot. Certainly their travels were filled with conversation about the baby. No doubt the excitement and anticipation was palpable. So too must have been the mystery.
What would this child be like? What would He do? How would they raise Him? What would God do in Him?
Passing through the hills and valleys of the Jordan, did they think back to the journey Samuel made to anoint David? Did Joseph wonder just how God was going to use this child?
One thing we can know is that beyond all other doubts, anxieties, feelings and nerves, they had one thing at their core that kept them putting one foot in front of the other…faith. It was shown when they encountered the angel and it continued to sustain them during their long journey to the World’s first Advent.