After their long and difficult journey, Mary and Joseph finally arrive in Bethlehem and seek shelter even as Mary approaches her time to deliver. They are seeking hospitality in a very particular place - just not necessarily at the particular place we have long assumed.

After their long and difficult journey, Mary and Joseph finally arrive in Bethlehem and seek shelter even as Mary approaches her time to deliver. They are seeking hospitality in a very particular place - just not necessarily at the particular place we have long assumed.

As Mary and Joseph walk down the long road towards Bethlehem, their conversation reveals a number of surprising things about the purpose that they see in this dangerous journey.

As Mary and Joseph walk down the long road towards Bethlehem, their conversation reveals a number of surprising things about the purpose that they see in this dangerous journey.

Mary and Joseph, on their way to Bethlehem, pass through a village that has been recently destroyed. As they search through the rubble and ruins, trying to understand what has taken place, they are confronted with a frightening truth and realize how dangerous this journey of theirs may prove to be.

Mary and Joseph, on their way to Bethlehem, pass through a village that has been recently destroyed. As they search through the rubble and ruins, trying to understand what has taken place, they are confronted with a frightening truth and realize how dangerous this journey of theirs may prove to be.

A stranger comes to the village of Nazareth in this retelling of the Christmas Story (specifically the story of the Annunciation) that will help you understand both the historical context of Luke's nativity story and the use he is making of Old Testament imagery and ideas.

A stranger comes to the village of Nazareth in this retelling of the Christmas Story (specifically the story of the Annunciation) that will help you understand both the historical context of Luke's nativity story and the use he is making of Old Testament imagery and ideas.

The formal betrothal of Mary and Joseph is something alluded to in the gospels but it is never described. First-century readers and listeners would have had some clear ideas of what such a betrothal would have looked like so I have taken the opportunity to fill in the background with a relatable story of how Mary and Joseph came to be engaged.

Music:

“AhDah” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

"Ascending the Vale” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

The formal betrothal of Mary and Joseph is something alluded to in the gospels but it is never described. First-century readers and listeners would have had some clear ideas of what such a betrothal would have looked like so I have taken the opportunity to fill in the background with a relatable story of how Mary and Joseph came to be engaged.