What About A Donkey!

I don’t know if I can imagine being 9 months pregnant, riding on a donkey over some not-so-smooth terrain for what may well be over 100 miles, a good source tells me. This is exactly what Mary had to endure when Caesar issued a decree that a census had to be taken and everyone had to go to their home town to register. This meant Joseph had to go to Bethlehem because he belonged to the house and the line of David. The Bible simply states Joseph went there to register with Mary who was pledged to be married to him and expecting a child. (Luke 2:1-5)
Certain sources say the main reason for the census is because King Herod who ruled over Judea for Caesar, is going nuts about the prophecy in Jeremiah 23:5-6 which states, "The days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will raise up to David a righteous branch, A king who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days, Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety."
During the census, as each man registered in his hometown, King Herod's subjects were ordered to look for a man who might be a king. It wasn't until later he discovered a child, not a man was to fulfill the prophecy.
While on their journey, Joseph and Mary confide in one another that they are both afraid. Mary also asks Joseph, "do you ever wonder when we'll know that He is more than just a child?" To which Joseph responds that he wonders if he will even be able to teach Him anything.
At night, Joseph and Mary sleep on the rough ground next to a small campfire. There is little food to eat and Joseph gives his share of food to the donkey who must carry Mary. When they finally reach their destination, Mary is begins to have contractions and Joseph desperately looks for a place to stay.
This part of Luke, explaining to us the Christmas story to this point, gives rise to reasoning with fear. I, too, have feared God and what he has asked of me. Even though I only have step-children, I have had my brother’s children too in mind since their birth and feared about what would happen to them if they were not kept safe and in the arms of God.

How compassionate Joseph, from the Scriptures, sounds to Mary. We once to be with her with all his heart. He wants so much to keep the Babe safe and sound until it is born. But he probably gets down on his knees and worships God at this stage. For God is great and all-knowing. He will surely get them through this awful situation of taxes and what else they will be put through to have a baby. Just to have this Babe, Mary fears, must be so important, that she cannot make mistakes. She must take the census and be counted and be legally passed by Caesar. She dare not do anything out of the ordinary.

And yet, it IS a very unordinary event. She is acting accordingly in what God wants her to do-- take care and have the Babe in a well way.

Their trusty donkey carried extra clothes, travel blankets and some food and water for the journey. Many other people were traveling for the same reasons, and it was most difficult to find enough food and water and even shelter at night. In this dry country in July and August it was very hot, and the road was dusty. Often Joseph and Mary had to stop to rest. Do you suppose as the story is told, strangers were rude to Mary?
How would you react if you had to ride a donkey? It is not the easiest nor the most royal of animals? Just an ass. Does it sound to you like she might have gotten geers and bad remarks thrown at her along the way?
I think of my own faith. What Mary had to endure down to the last minutes until birth was quite a lot. My own faith, tested, has felt at times like this. When I can no longer endure the pain of difficult situations. However, Mary proved that it was her love for God and wanting the Birth to be the most important day in her life. This is the hope of the trinity. Giving us a saving grace in a tough, even sad-like situation. Yes, indeed, Mary had a low birth. Was she to be raising a son--God's only begotten son to be finally crowned Queen Of the Apostles in today’s world, from the time that donkey rode her into Bethlehem on into eternity?
Now as the Christmas story goes,Joseph became quite tired, as it was a struggle for him to find lodging for Mary at night, prepare meals, care for the donkey and get his own rest. By the time they reached Bethlehem, they were both near exhaustion. Joseph searched throughout the entire city of Bethlehem for a place for Mary to stay but found nothing. The city was filled with people returning for the census. Joseph was becoming desperate as darkness settled over Bethlehem. Mary was having labor pains, they were both very tired and hungry, and their hungry donkey was at the point of collapse. Joseph’s instinct told him that a cattle shed with straw would have to do for a shelter for Mary. He finally found an old man who had a few milk cows and goats on a street at the edge of town, who agreed to let them stay in his cow barn over night.
What a relief! They were finally away from the dust, barking dogs, noisy children and clamor of the travelers of the city streets. The night was clear and very quiet. The stars were out in all their twinkling beauty, as if something very glorious was about to happen.
And happen it did! Mary gave birth to her first child, a son, that night.
Hail Mary, Full of Grace, THe Lord Is With Thee . . . Blessed is the Fruit Of Thy Womb Jesus. I like those words. I have repeated them on a rosary and to this day can not but be awestruck at the Biblical birth as it is recorded. Truly, it was ironic, that such a Savior has come to us in this way. But God wanted it that way. Was it because it was a Sign Of The Times? He did what he could for the Times
in which Jesus Christ lived? God the Father is an Almighty God. Surely his trust in us, as men and women on earth, gives us a chance to study and get quizzical if we must about Mary and Joseph--two who carefully made their way to Bethelem,just a woman on a donkey.
I looked at this month's War Cry as I gave money to the poor in the Salvation Army Bucket. This year it spoke of Angels and it printed very graphic pictures. One being of Mary, heavy-laden with child, being pulled by Joseph on that donkey. It was very trustworthy,
this publication. Unique stories, all on their own. My how Mary looked! A young teenager with an Act the Size Of A Rocket. It
is still true to today. The magic of birth. What women must go through. But too, think of Mary and what she went through! So glorious!