Nazareth is the hometown of Mary and joseph. In 5 B.C., just before the birth of Christ, the Romans require them to travel to their ancestral home (they were both of the lineage of King David) of Bethlehem. The couple travels the roughly 80 miles (about 129 KM) to the city, where Christ will be ultimately born in a stable and laid in a manger (Luke 2:1 - 20).

The journey wasn’t easy for the couple. We do not know how many days they have taken to reach Bethlehem. Surely it would have been a difficult journey to them as Mary is pregnant, But bible says all these incidents happened was to fulfil the promises of God.

So when we read this incident now, we glorify God because it was the fulfilment of the what God promised through Micah the prophet about the birth of Messiah the ruler.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micha 5:2

They never knew why all this happens at this stage because angel hasn’t informed them about this journey. But one thing Mary knew she is carrying the saviour of the world, her creator, the very fulfilment of the promises God made to her anscestors.

Jesus said “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Yes, this is a narrow road and the journey won’t be fun filled, but surely God shall be with you. God has promised his presence through out his journey; His comforting, encouraging and empowering presence will be with us and this grace is more than sufficient for us through put this journey.
Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 writes “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

This life is worth living for Jesus; as Mary and Joseph accepted the call of God even when they had to face various troubles. They knew on thing that they are being part of the greatest story God is writing, so we are. This journey is worth because we are carriers of the good news of God.