The Way to Bethlehem

And Back to Nazareth

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. Luke 1:56

According to Luke, Mary would have been about three months pregnant when she returned to her hometown. We don’t know if Joseph was aware of the pregnancy of his betrothed before she left town, or found out when she returned. Nonetheless, when Joseph found out he “resolved to divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:19). This is a testimony to the character of Joseph, who logically would have assumed that Mary had committed adultery, but did not want her to be shamed publically or, a possible punishment of the time, put to death.

Then along comes Gabriel again, assuring Joseph that his betrothed has not been unfaithful and —surprise—Joseph is about to become stepfather to the Messiah!

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21

After this announcement, Joseph took Mary into his home.

Some stories will add that Mary’s out of wedlock pregnancy was a scandal in Nazareth, but the loose fitting clothing of the time would have helped to conceal Mary’s condition. Once she was living with Joseph as his wife, the rumor mill had little ammunition. And if the gossips in Nazareth had suspected that the baby on the way was not the child of Joseph, such information would surely have found its way to Jesus’ enemies when He began His ministry. Instead, Jesus is often referred to “as the carpenter, the son of Mary and Joseph” (Mark 6:3).

There is a lot we don’t know about Mary and Joseph, but we can surmise that both were devoted to God and wanted to do his will. How can their examples benefit us today?

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