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Luke 2:4-5
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

The trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem was around eighty miles. Mary, who was in the last days of her pregnancy, must have felt every rut and jolt on the journey as she sat side-saddle on a donkey or a wooden-wheeled cart. I was always nervous about my assignment to drive Lori to the hospital for the birth of our children. Can you imagine Joseph’s emotions as he took Mary on a four or five-day trip over rough terrain?  

Things only got worse when they finally arrived in the sleepy town of Bethlehem. Every available room for rent was taken. But Joseph and Mary were in no position to put their names on a waiting list. It was time for the baby to be born. 

When God sent his Son into the world, he did not make it easy for the parents or the child. He stripped the Anointed One of every royal privilege. Already tagged as an illegitimate child, Jesus breathed his first breaths of air in a musty stable. He learned obedience through suffering…all the way to the cross. 

Here’s the way the writer of the Hebrews describes Jesus’ journey:

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Jesus approached the cross with joy! Think of that! With joy, he took our sins and paid the penalty so we could have eternal life. True joy is ours in Jesus!

Lord Jesus, thank you for the humility of your humanity. Thank you for your sacrifice from the cradle to the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen.