The Road to Bethlehem

The Journey: December 18

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. … and all went to be taxed, every one into his own city” (Luke 2:1, 3).

decree: a royal order

census: a count of all the people in an area

Joseph and Mary lived in the city of Nazareth. The ruler of the land made a decree. He said that everyone needed to be counted in a census. To be counted, the people had to go to the city where their ancestors were from. Joseph’s ancestors were from a town called Bethlehem.

It was almost time for Mary to have her baby when she and Joseph prepared for the trip. Bethlehem was 70–80 miles (112–128 km) from Nazareth. It usually took four or five days to make the journey, but it might have taken Joseph and Mary longer so Mary could rest along the way.

After a long and tiring journey, Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem.

Share the Light

Jesus Christ called Himself the “bread of life.” He said, “He that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Jesus wasn’t talking about food to eat. He meant that if you believe in Him and feast on His word, you will be filled with His love. In Hebrew, Bethlehem means “house of bread.” What a perfect meaning for the place where the Savior was born. To read more about Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem, read Luke 2:1–5.