It Is Christmas: The Journey of the NativitySample

Day 3: The Journey to Bethlehem – Walking in Trust
Reading: Luke 2:1-5

Picture the scene: Joseph and Mary begin a journey of nearly 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. There were no paved roads or comfortable carriages, just a rough and challenging path. Joseph carefully led Mary, who was pregnant with a baby about to be born. Each step felt heavier. The heat of the day, the chill of the night, and frequent stops to rest made the journey exhausting.

Mary, carrying the Messiah in her womb, also bore the emotional weight of uncertainty. What would the future hold? Would there be a place for them in Bethlehem? Yet, amid the fatigue and doubts, something greater sustained them: trust in God’s plan.

This journey reminds us that the paths God calls us to walk are not always easy, but they are always meaningful. Bethlehem, small and seemingly insignificant, was the chosen place for the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel” (Micah 5:2). God uses simple places and difficult journeys to accomplish His extraordinary plans.

Tim Keller notes: “God’s purposes often come disguised as ordinary circumstances, but every step along the way carries eternal significance.” Mary and Joseph might have questioned the timing of this journey during such an inconvenient moment, but they trusted that they were being guided by God’s sovereign hand.

Their story invites us to reflect on our own journeys. Perhaps you, too, are facing a challenging path—a season of uncertainty, fatigue, or even seeming insignificance. Remember, God uses the challenges of the road to shape us, teach us, and lead us into the center of His will.

C.S. Lewis wrote: “God’s greatest miracles often begin with small and difficult steps of obedience.” Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem not by chance, but by divine sovereignty. At Christmas, we are reminded that God guides our steps, even when the road is long and tiring.

Prayer:
“Lord, help me trust You during life’s difficult journeys. Give me the strength to keep moving forward, knowing that You are guiding my steps toward the center of Your will. May I see Your purposes unfolding with every step I take. Amen.”