Advent Meditation: Journeying to Bethlehem

During this Advent, I decided to walk beside Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and reflect on how they were able to make such a difficult journey.  It came at such an inconvenient time.  Mary was about to go into labor when they received the news to go to Bethlehem for the census.  As pointed out in the book The Christmas Journey by Donna Van Liere, this trip was about 70 miles, took around 5 days to walk and Mary would have felt “every rock and bump along the way.”

Donna Van Liere further wrote that Mary would have felt labor pains and also people staring at her because they questioned the story behind her pregnancy.  There was also concern that she might go into labor during the trip and how she and Joseph would even raise the Son of God.  Yet, Mary was told by the angel to “be not afraid.”  She put complete trust in God that she would complete the journey and give birth.

I also have at times wondered why things were happening at the wrong time in my life and have questioned God.  Why did I have to worry about breast cancer when recovering from surgery and then get extremely exhausted from the stress?  Mary shows how her complete trust in the Lord and lack of fear resulted in the Christmas we celebrate today.  I had to calm myself down and surrender everything to God in order to get well.  I also asked Mary to intercede and my life then started to turn around.  They did not find any cancer and I am gradually gaining more energy.

Our Lady probably also arrived just exhausted and then was told there was no room in the inn.  How many times have we almost reached our goals and obtained a setback?  Yet, she serenely accepted giving birth in a cold, dirty stable among the animals.  She did not complain that this was not worthy of the Son of God.  The Lord protected her and then surrounded her with His glorious light, songs of angels, and visits from shepherds and wise men.  So as we go on our own difficult journeys, we must stay calm and believe that the Lord will come even in the darkest of times.  He will shine His light of peace and joy into our lives in His own time. 

When I was pregnant, I would sometimes talk to my baby.  Thus, I was moved by this meditation to write a poem about Mary reassuring her son during her journey to Bethlehem.

Mary’s Lullaby (On the Road to Bethlehem)
by Julie Burbach

My precious, little child,

It’s not much longer now.

Though dark and cold,

On this long, bumpy road,

Do you feel the warm light,

Pouring into my soul?

Our Father is here,

Telling us not to fear,

As we journey through the night.

My precious, little child,

It’s time to rest now.

For it’s still a long way,

I will sit down and pray.

Do you hear the lullabies

Of angels by our side?

Telling us to be at peace,

And watching us,

While we sleep.

My precious, little child,

It’s almost time now.

For I can see the town,

Lighting up the sky around.

Do you feel the anticipation,

Of heavenly celebration?

Telling us it will be all right,

It’s time to reveal Your light.

My precious, little child,

It’s not much longer now.

I hope that everyone will have a joyous and blessed Christmas.  May we all strive to have the trust and serenity of Mary and patiently wait for God to reveal His light into our lives.