5 Days to Bethlehem--Day 4

The journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem probably took 5 or more days. Imagine what those five days were like.

Day Four--Hope keeps us going.

Joseph was as tired as he could ever remember. Strangely, though, the trepidation and downright fear of the previous days had melted away. Admiring his wife as she bravely soldiered on over the rough terrain caused him to check his attitude.

All he had done since beginning this journey was worry. He'd thought about God, trusted Him even, but never thanked Him, never looked forward with hope and anticipation to what God had in store for him.

Joseph had so much to be thankful for. Yes, his people were under the control of a pagan empire forcing them into further submission by demanding an odious registration process. Yes, he and his wife faced difficulties because of her pregnancy. Yes, God's path was not easy.

But God had chosen the people of Joseph as His own. But God had promised to never leave them nor forsake them. But he was a husband, and was going to be a father. Maybe God's path was not easy, but few things worthwhile ever were.

Joseph was thankful for his heritage. He was thankful for God, His provision and care for the Jewish people. This was not the first difficulty Joseph's people had faced, nor would it be their last. Always before God had provided, guided, protected Joseph's people.

More than that, Joseph realized as he looked ahead up the rocky path, God had always provided for him. Never had he been without what he truly needed, and so many times he had been blessed with more than he could have asked. Like today. God gave him Mary as his wife, and soon she would have a son. A son Joseph would raise as his own.

Thinking of the child filled Joseph with hope. They would call him Jesus, as instructed by Gabriel, the messenger of God. His name would mean The Lord Saves. He would be the Son of God, and was destined to save God's people from their sins.

All of this had come to them from God. This child was the blessed hope of Joseph's people. This child was to be the Messiah!

Joseph did not understand, but he did not have to. All he had to do was believe. All he had to do was hope. With God, nothing is impossible. That's what Gabriel told Mary. That's what Joseph believed.

God would get them to Bethlehem. God would bring His son into the world. What would happen next, Joseph knew not. All he knew was that God was with them, and that gave him hope.

Tomorrow they would reach Bethlehem. Whatever came next, Joseph would face with hope that only faith in God could provide.

To be continued . . .