When did Mary and Joseph start their journey to Bethlehem? This question has intrigued Christians and scholars for centuries, as it marks a significant event in the birth of Jesus Christ. The biblical narrative provides us with some clues, but the exact date remains a topic of debate among historians and theologians.
The journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem is primarily recorded in the Gospel of Luke. According to Luke 2:4-5, “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” This verse indicates that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to fulfill the decree of Caesar Augustus, which required everyone to return to their ancestral hometowns to be taxed.
The biblical account does not explicitly mention the date when Mary and Joseph began their journey. However, scholars have made various attempts to deduce the starting point of their journey based on historical and biblical evidence. One common theory suggests that they set out around the first month of the year, which corresponds to late December or early January in our modern calendar.
The reason for this assumption lies in the fact that the Roman census was conducted during the reign of Caesar Augustus, who ruled from 27 BCE to 14 CE. It is believed that the census was ordered in 8 BCE, and the tax collectors would have given individuals a specific timeframe to return to their ancestral hometowns. Since Mary was already pregnant with Jesus, it is reasonable to assume that they would have started their journey as soon as possible to ensure they arrived in time for the census.
Another piece of evidence comes from the shepherds who were watching their flocks by night when the angels announced the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8). The shepherds were living in the fields outside Bethlehem, which suggests that the birth of Jesus occurred during the winter months. This further supports the theory that Mary and Joseph started their journey around the first month of the year.
In conclusion, while the exact date when Mary and Joseph started their journey to Bethlehem remains uncertain, it is widely believed that they set out around the first month of the year, around late December or early January. This journey, filled with faith and obedience, led them to the humble town of Bethlehem, where the birth of Jesus Christ would change the course of human history.
