The Journey to Bethlehem
A visual story of the first Christmas, as told by Luke.
An Empire's Decree
The story begins with a command from the most powerful man in the world, Caesar Augustus. He ordered a census, a count of every person in the vast Roman Empire.
This massive undertaking required families everywhere to travel.
A Family's Ancestry
The census required every man to register in his ancestral town. For Joseph, a carpenter from Nazareth, this meant a special journey because his family line traced all the way back to King David.
This lineage meant Joseph and Mary had to travel to David's city: Bethlehem.
The Long Road from Nazareth
The journey from Nazareth in the north to Bethlehem in the south was long and difficult, covering approximately 90 miles over rocky hills and dusty paths. For Mary, who was expecting a child, the trip would have been especially challenging.
A slow and steady trek by foot or donkey through the hills of Judea.
A comparison of travel times for the 90-mile journey.
No Room in the Inn
When they finally arrived, Bethlehem was overflowing with people who had also come for the census. Every guest room, or "inn," was full, leaving no space for the weary travelers.
The town's capacity was pushed to its absolute limit.
A Humble Beginning
With no room available, Joseph found shelter in a place where animals were kept. There, Jesus was born. He was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger, a simple feeding trough for animals.
Swaddling Cloths
Strips of cloth wrapped snugly around a newborn for warmth and security.
A Manger
A trough made of wood or stone, used as the baby's first cradle.
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