The Journey to Bethlehem – God’s Hidden Plan

Mary and Joseph’s trek to Bethlehem isn’t just a nostalgic scene from Christmas cards—it’s the unfolding of God’s eternal plan. Sure, the image of Mary on a donkey under starlit skies is heartwarming, but the real story goes much deeper. This wasn’t just a challenging family trip; it was the fulfillment of a 700-year-old prophecy in motion.

Micah‘s Prophecy – the Reason for the Journey to Bethlehem

“But you, O 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, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2).

Micah’s prophecy came during a turbulent time for Israel—Jerusalem was under siege, rulers were self-serving, and the nation was teetering on collapse. Yet God promised a ruler who would come “for me”—a King fulfilling God’s purpose, not human agendas. This King would rise from humble Bethlehem to establish an eternal kingdom. Centuries later, that promise found its answer in Jesus.

Bethlehem – A Humble Place for a King

Fast forward to Mary and Joseph’s time, and Israel is still struggling—this time under Roman oppression and corrupt rulers. But out of Bethlehem, a small, overlooked town, God’s eternal promise would be fulfilled. Bethlehem, the city of David, was destined to be the birthplace of David’s greater Son—the Messiah.

This wasn’t a random choice. God often works through the humble and overlooked. As Isaiah prophesied: “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1). David’s royal line had dwindled to a stump, but through Jesus, God brought new life and hope—a new and better King.

Micah’s Prophecy Then and Now

Micah’s words carried a “double fulfillment.” While they initially offered comfort to King Ahaz during his time of crisis, they ultimately pointed forward to Jesus. This ruler, with origins “from of old,” fulfilled promises that stretched back to eternity. Matthew’s Gospel confirms this connection, showing that Jesus’ birth wasn’t just coincidental—it was divinely orchestrated from the beginning.

A Census caused the Journey to Bethlehem

The Roman census, decreed by Caesar Augustus, was a very inconvenient administrative hassle. It uprooted families to register for taxes—a strange requirement to us today, but standard in the Roman Empire. For Joseph, of David’s lineage, this meant traveling to Bethlehem.

Some skeptics question Luke’s account, citing timing discrepancies with Quirinius’ governorship. However, Roman records indicate that censuses and tax registrations often spanned several years and governors could be swapped out in that time – which is what happened here, meaning Luke’s narrative aligns well with historical practices. More importantly, this decree served God’s purposes, guiding Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and fulfilling a 700 plus year old prophecy.

Models of Humble Obedience

Mary and Joseph didn’t have an easy journey. Mary was heavily pregnant, and Joseph could have left her in Nazareth by divorcing her. Instead he obeyed God’s directive to marry Mary, obeyed the demands from Rome, but more significantly, their obedience to God shines through as they trusted in His plan. Their journey was more than religious compliance; it was a step of faith into God’s unfolding story.

When they arrived, there was no grand reception, just a humble family home to welcome the King of kings. God’s plans often unfold in simplicity and humility, not through grandeur. The Messiah entered the world quietly, but his impact would echo for eternity.

God’s Providence in Ordinary Events

Mary and Joseph’s journey reminds us that God works through the ordinary. A Roman census, a family trip, a small town—all seemingly mundane — but each one carried eternal significance. God doesn’t need spectacular displays to accomplish His purposes; He works through faithfulness in the everyday. In our work, the school run, caring for a friend.

This story is a call to trust in God’s providence, even when life feels inconvenient or chaotic. What looks like an interruption might be God positioning us right where we need to be.

The Hope of Bethlehem

Finally, Bethlehem reminds us to hope. It shows us that God keeps His promises, works through the humble, and brings greatness from small beginnings. Through the obedience of ordinary people like Mary and Joseph, God’s plan of redemption moved forward, unstoppable and unchanging.

As you enjoy your hot toddy or fruit tea, remember the wonder of what happened in Bethlehem. It’s more than a charming nativity scene—it’s the story of a God stepping out of heaven and entering our world the same we did. He came to fulfil His promises and bring hope to all. In the small town of Bethlehem, God turned the ordinary into the extraordinary, which is what does for us all when we answer his invitation into His unstoppable plan of redemption.

Go well, my friend.

For more about the journey to Bethlehem click here.