Why Were Mary And Joseph Traveling When Jesus Was Born?

The Bible Journey

Lk.2:15-23 – Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, Judaea, to see Joseph’s family, who lives in the city (see 1 on Map 4).Traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem takes four or five days since Nazareth is 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of Jerusalem (in an east-west direction), and Bethlehem is located on a ridge on the edge of the Judaean wilderness, 5 miles (eight kilometers) south of Jerusalem.Map No.4 Jesus’ birth is commemorated on December 25th.The Roman Census The census ordered by Augustus Caesar (who reigned from 27BC to 14AD) is cited by Luke, who was writing his gospel around 60-62AD for a Roman audience (see Luke 1:3), as the reason why Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus (see Luke 2:1-3 and 1 on Map 4).

In addition, he says that, because men were required to register in their home town (in order to be taxed by the Romans), Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem because Joseph was a descendant of King David and Joseph’s family originated in Bethlehem (see Matthew 1:1 & 1 Samuel 16:1&13).
According to Luke, the census took place at the time that Quirinius was the Roman ruler of Syria.
Cyrenius, according to the Jewish historian Josephus, was in charge of a general taxing, which was implemented (Quirinius).
He observes, however, that Cyrenius was appointed as Governor of the province of Syria after the Romans removed Archelaus (Herod the Great’s son) as king of Judaea in 6AD.
Judaea was thereafter put under direct Roman authority and included into the Roman province of Syria.

This followed in an uprising headed by Judas of Gamala (‘Judas the Galilean’), a Jewish fanatic (see Acts 5:37).(see Acts 5:37).As Jesus was born in 6 or 5BC, this Roman census happened eleven or twelve years after his birth.A census and general taxation in Judaea would not have been possible during the reign of Herod the Great, because no Roman ruler of Syria would have had the authority to do so around the time of Jesus’ birth.It appears, then, that Luke was incorrect when identifying this Roman census as the cause of Mary and Joseph’s visit to Bethlehem.Whatever the cause, Joseph took the choice to return to his family home in Bethlehem in order to be present when his newly betrothed bride gave birth in the presence of his close family members.

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Mary traveled with Joseph on a donkey

The individuals who traveled at the time of Jesus’ birth traveled on foot, by animal, or in a cart.The trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem took four to six days across tough terrain, with wild animals and thieves to contend with.People usually traveled in groups for the purpose of personal safety.Donkeys or asses were the most common animals used for load transportation, and they are still employed in many parts of the world today.Horses were exclusively employed by the wealthy or as a war animal in ancient times.It is possible to see the hand of God everywhere, including here, where He used a Roman census to force Jesus to be born in Bethlehem.

Jesus had to fulfill a number of prophesies in order to be recognized as the Messiah and Savior of the world.
Do you have any examples in mind?

Background Reading: – Mary travels with Joseph

5 He traveled there in order to be registered with Mary, who had been pledged to him in marriage and who was also pregnant at the time of his arrival. 2:5 (Luke 2:5)

More Information:

Neither the name nor breed of the donkey that was used to carry Mary, who was at the time pregnant with Jesus, are known to us at this time.The 120 km (75 mile) trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem may have taken 4-6 days on foot, depending on the weather.Traveling throughout the winter, for example, in December, would be quite difficult due to the cold and rain.If the census was done over a period of time, it is possible that Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem and were in Jerusalem for one of the three feasts mentioned in the Bible.All Jewish males were required to attend the event.The three feasts are as follows: First, there was Unleavened Bread (which includes Passover), which took place in the spring.

2.
Pentecost, which fell in the late spring season.
3.
The Feast of Tabernacles, which took place in the fall – see Leviticus 23:24.
John 1:14 is a quotation from the Bible.

″Jesus came and lived among us.″ The literal meaning of the phrase is that Jesus ″tabernacled among us.″ Jerusalem was one square mile in size and had an estimated population of 200,000 people, with one million pilgrims visiting each year, mostly for religious feasts, according to official estimates.

Other modules in this unit:

Why did Mary and Joseph have to go to Bethlehem?

According to the book of Luke, the Lord Jesus was born in a place known as Bethlehem, also known as the City of David.The narrative informs us that His earthly parents were from someplace else and had to travel there for some reason, and that His earthly mother had to give birth to Him while she was there as well.Why was it necessary for Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ earthly parents, to go to Bethlehem in the first place?Let’s take a deeper look at what you’re saying.The decision of a ruler ″And it came to happen during those days that an edict from Caesar Augustus was issued requiring that everyone on the planet be registered.This census was conducted for the first time while Quirinius was in charge of Syria.

So everyone went to his or her own city to get registered.
The other day, Joseph traveled from Galilee, away from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is known as Bethlehem because he was descended from the house and lineage of David, in order to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was expecting a child with him.
This meant that the days before she was delivered were finished while they were at the hospital with her parents.″ (See Luke 2:1-6 for more information.) In the paragraph above, we learn that when the time for Mary to give birth grew closer, Caesar Augustus, the emperor at the time, decreed that a census be conducted.
We see there that the Roman emperor was able to call all the Jews back to their hometowns by using a census, despite the fact that I will not go into detail about how the Romans governed and taxed the Jews, or how the Jews treated their lineage and were thus very likely to participate in such an a census.
Because Joseph was a descendant of David, he was obligated to return to Bethlehem in order to comply with such a decree from the governor of the city.

But it is often overlooked that this was done in order to fulfill a prophecy in Micah 5:2, which states: ″But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose going forth is from of old, and from everlasting.″ God’s hand is in the process of moving things forward.Some may find it hard to accept, yet God is the one who brought this about.God would see to ensure that the Christ’s arrival at Bethlehem occurs since he has stated that it will.″So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I will, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.″ (See Isaiah 55:11 for further information).So, how did God accomplish this?By invoking the emperor’s authority to order a census.

God has the ability to accomplish this, according to Proverbs 21:1: ″The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like rivers of water; He turns it wherever He desires.″ Caesar was compelled to call for the census by God.Take notice that the census that prompted Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem was the very first of its type to take place in the history of the world.Friends, let me conclude by saying that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem because it was God’s intention that Jesus be born there.The results He sought were achieved via the employment of worldly persons and circumstances.This demonstrates His absolute authority over all things.

″However, our God is in heaven, and He is free to do as He pleases.″ Psalm 115:3 is an example of this.

Mary and Joseph Go to Bethlehem and Jesus Is Born

1, 2.Describe Mary’s trip and explain what made it difficult for her to go through it.In an awkwardly twisted position, MARY sat atop the little beast of burden.She’d been biking for several hours.Just ahead, Joseph continued to walk steadily forward, pointing the way down the road toward the distant town of Bethlehem.Mary was awakened once more by the stirring of life inside her.

2 Mary was far into her pregnancy at this point, and the Bible depicts her as ″heavy with child″ at this point in the narrative.
(See also Luke 2:5) Possibly, as the pair walked through field after field, some of the farmers looked up from their plowing or sowing to wonder why a woman in such poor health would go on such a voyage.
Is it possible that anything had dragged Mary away from her hometown of Nazareth?
3.
What was the nature of Mary’s assignment, and what will we be looking for in order to understand more about her?

3 This whole ordeal began months earlier when this young Jewish woman was given a task that was unlike any other in all of human history.They were expecting her to give birth to the kid who would grow up to be the Messiah, the Son of God.(See also Luke 1:35) As the moment for giving birth drew closer, the need of embarking on this trip became apparent.Mary was confronted with a lot of difficulties that tested her faith during the journey.Let’s have a look at what she did to maintain her spiritual strength.

The Trip to Bethlehem

4, 5.(a) What was the reason for Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem?(a) Which of the following prophecies was fulfilled as a result of Caesar’s decree?4 Joseph and Mary were not the only ones who were on the move at that time.People were required to travel to their place of origin in order to comply with a recent decree issued by Caesar Augustus requiring that a register be carried out in the country.What was Joseph’s response?

This is how the story goes: ″Of course, Joseph also traveled up from Galilee and out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea and to David’s city, which is known as Bethlehem, since he was a member of David’s house and family.″ 2 and 4 (Luke 2:14–18).
That Caesar issued his proclamation at this particular moment was no chance.
The Messiah would be born at Bethlehem, according to a prophesy that was written down some seven centuries ago.
By chance, there was a town named Bethlehem a scant seven miles (11 kilometers) away from Nazareth at the time of Jesus’ birth.
The prophesy, on the other hand, said that it would be ″Bethlehem Ephrathah″ that would give birth to the Messiah.

(See Micah 5:2 for more information.) Passengers had to trek 80 steep miles (130 kilometers) across Samaria in order to reach the small settlement from Nazareth.In that Bethlehem, Joseph was summoned, since it was the ancestral house of King David’s family, which included both Joseph and his wife, and it was the Bethlehem to which Joseph had been summoned.6, 7.(a) Why may a voyage to Bethlehem have posed difficulties for Mary to overcome?Mary’s actions were influenced in what way by the fact that she was Joseph’s wife?(See the footnote for further information.) 6 Would Mary agree with Joseph’s choice to comply with the law?

After all, she would be under a lot of stress on the journey.Because it was anticipated to be early in the autumnal season of the year, modest showers were possible as the dry season came to a close.Furthermore, the term ″went up from Galilee″ is suitable since Bethlehem was positioned at a height altitude of over 2,500 feet (760 m), which required a strenuous ascent at the end of a journey that had lasted many days.It’s possible that it will take longer than normal because Mary’s illness may necessitate frequent intervals of relaxation.At this point in her life, a young lady could wish to be near to home, where she would be surrounded by family and friends who would be there to assist her when the labor pains came.

Without a question, she needed to summon the necessary fortitude in order to go on this journey.7 Despite this, Luke states that Joseph went ″to become enrolled with Mary″ (to register with Mary).He also mentions that Mary ″had been given in marriage as promised,″ according to him.(Luke 2:4; Luke 2:5) The fact that Mary was Joseph’s wife made a significant impact in her judgments.The woman regarded her husband as her spiritual leader, accepting her God-given role as his helper by expressing her support for him in his decisions.

As a result, she responded to this possible test of her faith with straightforward obedience.8.(a) Is there anything else that could have prompted Mary to accompany Joseph to Bethlehem?

(b) How does Mary’s example serve as a light for those who are faithful?
8 What else could have influenced Mary’s decision to obey?
Did she have any knowledge of the prophecy that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the Savior?
It is not stated in the Bible.
We cannot discount out the possibility, because the truth was apparently well known among religious leaders and even the broader public at the time of the incident.
John 7:40-42) (Matthew 2:1-7; John 7:40-42) When it came to the Scriptures, Mary was far from being a naive young lady of her time.

(See Luke 1:46-55 for further information.) In any case, whether Mary chose to go in order to obey her husband, a secular edict, or Jehovah’s own prophesy —or a mix of these things —she set a wonderful example for us all.Both men and women who have a modest and submissive heart are highly regarded by Jehovah.In our day and age, when submitting appears to be among the most neglected of virtues, Mary’s example serves as a light for those who are committed to God.

The Birth of Christ

9, 10.(a) What do you think Mary and Joseph were thinking about as they were making their way towards Bethlehem?(a) Why did Joseph and Mary choose to stay in the location that they did?9 When Mary first saw the town of Bethlehem, she had to have breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.It’s possible that Mary and Joseph were thinking about the history of this small community as they ascended the slopes, passing past olive orchards, which were among the last crops to be gathered at the time of their journey.As Micah the prophet had said, it was too minor to be counted among Judah’s cities; yet, it was the birthplace of Boaz, Naomi, and subsequently David, all of whom were born more than a thousand years before the time of Christ.

10 Mary and Joseph discovered that the hamlet was quite crowded.
Because others had arrived to register before them, there was no place in the lodge room for them.
They had no choice but to spend the night in a barn since they had no other option.
We can almost understand Joseph’s distress as he witnessed his wife enduring a severe discomfort she had never encountered, which soon escalated.
Her contractions had started right here, of all places.

11.(a) What is it about Mary that allows women all across the world to relate with her?(a) In what ways did Jesus fulfill the role of ″firstborn″?11 Women all throughout the world may relate to Mary’s plight.A little more than 4,000 years previously, Jehovah had forewarned that it would be the common lot of women to experience anguish during childbirth as a result of hereditary sin.(Genesis 3:16; cf.

v.v.v.v.v.

v.v.Nothing in the record suggests that Mary was an exception in this regard.According to Luke’s narrative, the scene is obscured by a subtle curtain of seclusion, which states simply: ″She gave birth to her son, the firstborn.″ (Luke 2:7).(Luke 2:7).

Yes, Mary’s ″firstborn″ had arrived – the first of at least seven children who would come to be known as her family.(Matthew 6:3) This one, on the other hand, would always be a standout.Furthermore, Jesus was not only her firstborn son, but he was also Jehovah’s own ″firstborn of all creation,″ the one-and-only Son of God!

—Colossians 1:15.
12.
Where did Mary lay the infant, and how did the truth differ from the nativity plays, paintings, and scenarios that have been shown in the media?
12 She then ties him up with linen bands and places him in a manger, which is where the tale gets its most famous line: (Luke 2:7).
(Luke 2:7).
All across the world, nativity plays, paintings, and sceneries depicting the birth of Jesus evoke this feeling.

Take into consideration, however, the facts of the situation.Farm animals consume their food from an animal feeding trough, often known as a bin or a trough.Remember that the family was staying in a stable, which was not known for having clean air or cleanliness at the time, or even now.What kind of parents would chose such a location for birthing if they had a choice amongst alternative options?The majority of parents want nothing but the best for their children.

What a greater desire Mary and Joseph had to offer the finest possible environment for the Son of God!13.As far as Mary and Joseph were concerned, how did they make the most of what they had?(b) How may smart parents nurture priorities that are comparable to those of Joseph and Mary in today’s world?13 They, on the other hand, did not allow their restrictions to discourage them; instead, they just did the best they could with what they had.

Take, for example, the fact that Mary herself looked after the child, wrapping him tightly in fabric bands and placing him gently in the manger to sleep, assuring that he would be warm and safe.Mary was not going to let her uneasiness about her current circumstances to keep her from doing the best she could for her family.She and Joseph were also aware that the most essential thing they could do for this kid would be to provide him with spiritual guidance and support.

(See Deuteronomy 6:6-8 for further information.) As they raise their children in this spiritually impoverished world, wise parents cultivate priorities that are similar to those of their forefathers.

A Visit Brings Encouragement

14, 15.(a) What was it about the infant that made the shepherds so excited?(a) What action did the shepherds take in response to what they had witnessed in the stable?14 A disturbance erupted out of nowhere, disrupting the tranquil environment.Shepherds hurried into the stable, anxious to see the family and the youngster in particular.These men were brimming over with enthusiasm, their faces radiating delight.

Their flocks had been herded into the valley from the mountains where they had been camped up.
They informed their bemused parents about a wonderful event they had just had that they thought they would never forget.
An angel had come to them on the mountainside during their night vigil while they were on the watch.
The angel informed them that the Christ, also known as the Messiah, had just been born in Bethlehem, since Jehovah’s splendor shone all around them at the time.
They would discover the kid lying in a manger, swaddled in cotton bands, and they would take him home.

Afterwards, something even more astounding occurred: an entire swarm of angels arrived, worshiping the Almighty!—Luke 2:8–14, emphasis added.15 It’s no surprise that these lowly shepherds rushed towards Bethlehem!A newborn child, laying there exactly as the angel had described, must have filled them with delight.These happy people did not keep their good fortune a secret.″They made the saying public…

And everyone who heard it astonished at the things that the shepherds had revealed to them.″ (Luke 2:17, 18) Shepherds were treated with disdain by the religious authorities of the day, it appears.Jehovah, on the other hand, evidently regarded these persons as valuable.What, on the other hand, was the impact of this visit on Mary?Shepherds who were modest and obedient were plainly favored by Jehovah.16.

How did Mary demonstrate that she was genuinely attentive, while also expressing what was at the heart of her faith?16 Despite the fact that she was clearly fatigued from the rigors of childbirth, Mary sat up straight and paid attention to every word.And she went even further: ″Mary began to store all of these sayings, making inferences in her heart as she did so.″ (See also Luke 2:19) This young lady exhibited genuine thoughtfulness.She was well aware that this celestial communication was of critical importance.Her God, Jehovah, want for her to be aware of and recognize the identity and significance of her son.

As a result, she did more than just listen.She tucked the words away in her heart, knowing that she would come back to them again and again in the months and years to come to consider them.This is an amazing key to understanding the faith that Mary demonstrated throughout her life span.

— 1 The book of Hebrews 11:1-17.
So, how can we follow in Mary’s footsteps when it comes to spiritual truths and principles?
17 Will you follow in Mary’s footsteps?
Jehovah has crammed the pages of his Word with essential spiritual truths that can’t be found anywhere else.
That said, those realities will serve us little purpose unless we pay close attention to them first.
As a means of accomplishing this, we should routinely read the Bible—not only as a piece of fiction, but as the divinely inspired Word of God.

(2 Timothy 3:16) Afterwards, just as Mary did, we must store spiritual sayings in our hearts and make inferences from them.If we ponder on what we read in the Bible, considering ways in which we may implement Jehovah’s wisdom more thoroughly, we will provide our faith with the nutrients it requires to flourish and expand.

More Sayings to Preserve

18.(a) How did Mary and Joseph comply with the Mosaic Law throughout Jesus’ early years on the earth?The donation that Joseph and Mary made at the temple revealed a lot about their financial status, didn’t it?

18 On the eighth day of the baby’s life, Mary and Joseph had him circumcised, as required by the Mosaic Law, and named him Jesus, as ordered.
(See also Luke 1:31) And on the 40th day, they transported him from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, a distance of six miles (approximately ten kilometers), where they delivered the purifying sacrifices that the Law permitted for poorer people — two turtledoves (turtlebird offerings) or two pigeon offerings (pigeon offerings).
If they felt guilty for donating less than the ram and a turtledove that other parents could afford, they pushed those thoughts aside……………………………………

However, they received a tremendous amount of support while they were there..
In Luke 2:21-24, the Bible says 19.
(a) Describe how Simeon provided Mary with more sayings to keep in her heart.

(a) What was Anna’s initial emotion when she first saw Jesus?
19 An elderly gentleman called Simeon approached them and shared many more sayings with Mary, which she treasured in her heart.
In the days leading up to his death, he had been promised that he would see the Messiah, and Jehovah’s holy spirit revealed to him that little Jesus was the long-awaited Savior.
Furthermore, Simeon warned Mary of the agony that she would have to experience in the future.
He claimed that she would have the sensation of having a long sword run through her.
(See Luke 2:25-35 for further information.) The mere mention of those ominous words may have encouraged Mary to persevere when the difficult moment arrived three decades later.

Soon after, a prophetess called Anna saw the baby Jesus and began preaching about him to everyone who held out hope for the redemption of Jerusalem.— Take a look at Luke 2:36-38.Describe how the decision to bring Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem turned out to be an excellent one.20 The choice of Joseph and Mary to bring their newborn to Jehovah’s temple in Jerusalem had shown to be a wise one.As a result, they set their kid on a lifelong path of faithful attendance at the temple of Jehovah.During their time there, they gave of themselves according to their abilities and got words of guidance and support from others.

Mary undoubtedly left the temple that day more steadfast in her faith, her heart overflowing with spiritual sayings to ponder and share with others around her.21.How can we assure that our faith will continue to develop in strength, like Mary’s did, throughout time?

21 It is a great sight to watch parents now following in their children’s footsteps.Parents of Jehovah’s Witnesses are expected to bring their children to Christian meetings on a regular basis.Such parents contribute what they can, providing words of encouragement to their children and grandchildren who are also Christians.They return stronger, happier, and full of positive things to share with their friends and colleagues.What a delight it has been to finally meet them!

As we do so, we will discover that our faith, like Mary’s, will continue to grow stronger and stronger.

Why were mary and joseph traveling when jesus was born

Why did Mary travel with Joseph to his homeland?

Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem legitimately and temporarily, according to this argument, since the Roman Emperor Augustus had ordered that everyone return to the place where their family were originally from in order to take part in a census, which they did.

Where did Mary and Joseph travel to after Jesus was born?

The tale of Moses’ escape into Egypt is told in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:13–23), as well as in the New Testament apocrypha (pocket books). Soon after the Magi’s visit, Joseph had a dream in which an angel came to him, informing him that he should flee to Egypt with Mary and the newborn Jesus because King Herod would be looking for the child in order to murder him.

Where did the Holy Family travel to after the birth of Jesus?

A warning from an angel for Joseph to flee with Jesus and the Virgin Mary caused the Holy Family to depart from Bethlehem for Egypt. They began their journey in northern Sinai and continued until they reached Farama. The places where they stayed have now been converted into churches and monasteries as a result.

Was Jesus born in a stable or a cave?

Christmas nativity scenes across the world depict the birth of Christ, which may be the most famous Bible tale of all: Jesus was born in a stable because there were no rooms available at the inn when his parents went to give birth to him.

Why did Joseph take his family to Nazareth?

The Gospel of Matthew does not mention Nazareth as the prior residence of Joseph and Mary; instead, he claims that Joseph was scared to travel to Judea since Herod Archelaus was in power there, and so the family chose to settle in Nazareth.

How old was Virgin Mary when she had Jesus?

Apocryphal traditions claim that Mary was 12–14 years old when she was betrothed to Joseph; however, this is not confirmed. Mary might have been engaged at the age of 12 or 13, according to ancient Jewish tradition. According to Hyppolitus of Thebes, Mary survived for 11 years following the death of her son Jesus, dying in the year 41 AD.

What was the city Jesus was born in?

Bethlehem is located 10 kilometers south of the city of Jerusalem in the fertile limestone hill country of the Holy Land, 10 kilometers south of the city of Jerusalem. Historically, people have thought that Jesus was born at the location where the Church of the Nativity presently stands (Bethlehem) from at least the second century AD.

Who ruled Egypt when Jesus was born?

Bethlehem is located in the rich limestone hill terrain of the Holy Land, 10 kilometers south of the city of Jerusalem. Historically, people have thought that Jesus was born at the location where the Church of the Nativity presently stands (Bethlehem) from at least the 2nd century AD.

How long were Mary Joseph and Jesus in Egypt?

After a 65-kilometer voyage, they arrived in Egypt, where they resided for three years until after Herod’s death in 4 B.C., when Joseph had a dream indicating that it was safe to return to their homeland of Israel. The family proceeded to Nazareth, a distance of at least 170 kilometers, which took them many days.

How long did Herod live after Jesus was born?

According to Josephus, Herod governed for 37 years, 34 of which were spent in Jerusalem after seizing the city.

What did angels say when Jesus was born?

As soon as the angel informed the shepherds of the birth of Jesus, the angel was joined by an army of angels, who sang praises to God while proclaiming, ″Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those whom he pleases!″

When was Jesus actually born according to the Bible?

The Virgin Mary, who was nine months pregnant with the son of God, would have given birth to Jesus on the winter solstice, nine months after the conception of the child. From Rome, the celebration of Christ’s birth spread to other Christian churches in the west and east, and by the end of the fourth century, the majority of Christians were commemorating Christ’s birth on December 25.

Who wanted to kill Jesus when he came to know that Jesus was born?

Matthew 2:16 is the sixteenth verse of the second chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, which is included in the Book of Matthew in the Bible. It had been predicted by an angel that Herod would seek to kill Jesus, the son of Joseph and Mary; they had been visited by the angel.

Why was there no room in the inn for Mary and Joseph?

According to Luke 2:14, a considerable number of individuals, including relatives of Joseph, had to relocate in order to meet with census rules. Although commercial housing was available in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph would have done what the majority of people in those days did: they would have remained with friends or family.

Why Were Mary And Joseph Traveling When Jesus Was Born

The Journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem Mary and Joseph are on their way to Bethlehem.Journey to the City of Bethlehem What Has Happened to Jesus?Baby The Birth of Jesus For Christmas, make a Nativity Craft.

Crafts for the Nativity Jesus Crafts for the Holidays Crafts for the Holidays The Journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem Graphics in Vector Format for Free Journey to Bethlehem – Vector Illustrations Christmas Decorations to Pin During their journey to Jerusalem, Jesus and His family encounter difficulties.
Traveling Through the Life of Jesus Drawing Traveling Through the Life of Jesus Quotes from Around the World Jerusalem Fine Art to Pin on a Wall Pin on Jesus as a Child and as a Twelve-Year-Old Store Your Valuables in Safety Lds Organization Pictures of Jesus from the Bible Art for the Holidays Luke 02 is a fictional character created by the author Luke 02 to play a role in the story of Luke 02’s life.
Routes of the Nativity Paper 122 – The Birth and Infancy of Jesus The Urantia Book is a work of fiction.

Illustrations from the Bible The Bible of the Catholic Church of Bethlehem On their way to Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary travel on donkey.
My Own Original Line Art Sketches of Jesus with a Donkey Drawing a Line Art Pin the Church on the Wall The Routes Traveled by Mary and Joseph Map Bible Mapping is a term used to describe the process of mapping out the Bible.
Scripture for Bible Study Bible Genealogy is a type of genealogy that is based on the Bible.

The Christmas Story is a fictionalized account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th, 1825.
Christmas Jesus Background for a Christmas photograph A Christmas-themed tale Mary and Joseph are on their way to Bethlehem.
Photographs of Jesus Pictures of Christ Jesus as a Work of Art Doodling on clip art is something you can pin on.
Mary and Joseph are on their way to Bethlehem.
Joseph Walks and Takes the Lead Mary Seated on a Donkey is one of a series of images.
Fantasy Art Landscapes are a type of fantasy art.

Bethlehem Artwork for the Holidays in the Fantasy Style Preschool Projects for the Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Preschool Preschool Projects based on Jesus Lesson for the Holidays And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapping him in strips of cloth and laying him in a manger.The birth of Jesus is celebrated on December 25th.Mary and Joseph are on the road.Nativity Posters Journey to Bethlehem Nativity Posters Journey to Bethlehem Ministry to Children and Adolescents The Christian Nativity Scene at Christmas School Ideas to Pin on Pinterest Mary and Joseph are on their way to Bethlehem.Illustrations from the Bible Painting is a form of art.Giovanna Godby’s Christmas Christmas Scenes pin was discovered on Pinterest.

Christmas Nativity Art Christmas Nativity Painting Place a pin on well-known rivals.So, when they were separated from the angels and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ″Let us go across to Bethlehem and see Jesus’ birth.″ 1 Put a pin on I Rejoice At Thy Word As One Who Has Found Great Treasure Psalm 119:162 (Psalm 119:162)

5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Christmas Story

Meanwhile, Gordon sophomore Nicole DePue ’08 met with her other Israel Seminar students at the base of Masada to listen to a lecture, Nicole DePue ’08 began her trek alone to the summit.She needed an hour’s head start on her competitors in order to reach the summit at the same time.The chore of walking is difficult for DePue, who explains why.

This was something I wasn’t sure I could do with my feet.
Hopefully, they would not suffer from severe pain, making it impossible for me to continue on.″ Almost since she was a child, doctors have been unable to determine what is wrong with DePue’s feet.
When she was born, doctors predicted she’d be confined to a wheelchair by the time she was 13, but an experimental surgery allowed her to retain the ability to walk, albeit with difficulty.

DePue took three times as long to reach the summit of Masada on that particular day.
As a result, it occurred to her just a few days before Christmas this year that she might as well try her luck.
The heart of the Christmas tale is comprised of a number of difficult travels.

Mary and Joseph are on their way to Bethlehem from Nazareth.
The magi arrive in Nazareth by way of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Mary and Joseph decide to transfer Jesus to Egypt in order to dodge Herod’s fury.
″I understand what it’s like to rely on God to help you through a physical obstacle so that you can do what God has called you to do,″ DePue adds.
The entire walk to Masada, I was meditating and praying.
In addition, I am confident that Mary and Joseph prayed the entire journey to Bethlehem.″ Because these voyages are only mentioned in a few phrases in the Bible, there is a lot of room for our imaginations to run wild.

Understand the dangers Mary and Joseph faced in order to deliver the Messiah into the world, and the lengths to which the magi went in order only to meet him, by reading the book of Luke.Nicole DePue ’08, a biblical geographer, was interviewed by The Bell.Here are five things about Christmas that you probably didn’t know before: Is it possible that you’ve wondered why Mary and Joseph waited until Mary was almost nine months pregnant before making the 80-mile trek to Bethlehem for the census?Why didn’t they get out of here sooner?DePue believes there is one conceivable answer, which we will never know for certain.″Women were frequently killed during delivery back then.″ It’s possible that the smallest thing may have ended her pregnancy,″ argues DePue.

″It’s possible that she had a fever.″ Furthermore, during the winter season, it is wet and the temperature would have dropped well below freezing at times.It would be quite perilous for Mary to do so.That’s why I’m leaning toward the idea that it won’t be winter.″ Regardless of whether Mary was a few days away from giving delivery, Joseph would have waited until the situation was safe to depart.

So, since it’s doubtful that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem during the winter, when did Jesus truly come into the world?No one has any idea.It was not until much later that birthdays were recognized as a pagan ritual, and they were not observed in Jewish or Christian families until much later.In the end, DePue explains, ″Christianity desired to cover all non-Christian celebrations by declaring their own holiday in their stead.″ ″The winter paganic celebrations fused with the celebration of Christmas.″ Prior to the celebration of Christmas, the 25th of December was a Roman holiday commemorating the birth of the sun deity, Mithra.When you take into consideration the hazards of traveling in the winter, DePue believes that Jesus was born in the spring, which explains why Joseph and Mary would have decided to travel near the end of Mary’s third trimester.

It’s possible that they didn’t have much option except to wait.
If the current consensus among biblical scholars is correct, and it takes four days to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph would have had to travel approximately 90 miles in four days, traveling at an average speed of 2.5 miles per hour for approximately eight hours per day.
According to DePue, this does not give enough time for Mary and Joseph to take breaks to go to the restroom, cook or eat meals, or even to recover their breath.

″In my experience, the vast majority of Bible scholars are men,″ she says.
″Plus, I don’t believe they have a realistic understanding of what it would be like to travel while pregnant in her third trimester.″ Out of consideration for the practical difficulties associated with not being able to use the restroom or eat, DePue is concerned about another aspect of the four-day hypothesis: it implies something else that he is not comfortable with.
A four-day trek during which Joseph is unconcerned about Mary.
There was no pressing need to hurry.

For Mary’s sake, I believe Joseph would have moved at a more leisurely pace.He would have given top priority to her health and well-being.″ With these considerations in mind, DePue believes that Mary and Joseph traveled an average of two miles per hour and 12 miles per day (for a total of six hours of journey time).She thinks that their travel took around one week in total.DePue even took the effort to sketch up a probable route for them to take:

Day 1: Nazareth to Beth Shean

Day 2–3: Beth Shean through the Jordan River Valley

Freshwater, food plants (such as date palms), and protection from the Samaritans are all available in the Jordan River Valley. DePue believes the two camped close to the river during their journey. It is likely that many of their relatives did not accept them because Mary was pregnant and unmarried, and as a result, they may not have had the option of remaining in villages.

Day 4: Jordan River Valley to Jericho/North end of the Dead Sea

Day 5–6: Jericho/North end of the Dead Sea to Jerusalem

The trek from Jericho to Jerusalem, according to DePue, would have taken Mary and Joseph two days because the entire route is a steep incline. ″The Dead Sea is the lowest point on the face of the planet,″ says the author. In the high country, you’ll find Jerusalem.″

Day 7: Jerusalem to Bethlehem

There are only two more miles to go on this portion of the voyage.It’s a five-mile downhill journey.In their journey, they would have traveled through the city of David, which was located to the south of Herod’s capital.

Scholars are divided on whether Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem or if she did it on foot.
DePue hopes that she was successful.
″It’s a highly meaningful gesture,″ she adds.

When they arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey with Mary, Jesus was still in the womb…
which is the same side from which Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday.″ The arrival into Jerusalem on a donkey via the East gate may have served as a sort of epilogue to Jesus’ life.
The magi are the people from the Christmas narrative that are the most mysterious.

We don’t know who they are or where they came from, nor do we know how they came to know to follow the star to Jesus.
According to DePue, ″we know they originate from ‘the East.’″ Another instance in the Bible where Babylon is referred to as ‘the East’ is the Book of Revelation.
Nebuchadnezzar was a king who came from ‘the East.’ Under Daniel’s leadership, the Jews throughout the diaspora relocated to ‘the East.’ ″’The East’ was commonly used to refer to Babylon.″ Even though their name seems like an acronym for magician, DePue clarifies that they ″didn’t do any tricks or perform any magic.
″ They were diviners, persons who gained insight into the world by looking to the stars.
Their professions were astronomers and astrologers.″ If you look at a map of today, Babylon would be relatively close to Bagdad, Iraq, which means the magi would have traveled more than 900 miles to find Jesus.
By the time they arrived in Jerusalem, they were seeking for a child, not a baby, which suggests that they had been on the road for a long time before arriving.

DePue reminds out that in the Bible, the magi arrive to Jesus’ home and discover him in an appropriate setting.There are no creatures in this world.There is no manger to be found.″This leads me to believe that Jesus had already arrived in Nazareth when the magi arrived,″ DePue speculates.Another reason why DePue believes the magi discovered Jesus in Nazareth is because of the path they followed on their way back to Jerusalem.″The magi took a different route home in order to avoid Herod’s presence in Jerusalem,″ she adds.

‘If they traveled to Bethlehem, the only way to avoid passing through Jerusalem would be to extend what was already a very lengthy journey even further.’ It’s a little too lengthy.″It wouldn’t make any logical sense.″ If you are experiencing the Christmas story for the first time, we hope these five insights from Nicole DePue will help you appreciate what Mary, Joseph, and the magi went through in order to welcome Christ into the world.Nicole DePue is an author and speaker who lives in New York City.

Merry Christmas to you!Masada National Park’s ancient remains at the summit of the Masada mesa are shown in the header image.

Luke, Taxes, and the Birth of Jesus (85)

This was discovered in The Parallel Bible.The New Testament is a collection of writings that were written during the years of ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad ad (KJV) Because his parents were ordered by Emperor Augustus to return to their ancestral village during the time of Mary’s pregnancy, it is stated in the Gospel of Luke (2:1-7) that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.This ties together the founding story of the Christian religion and Roman imperial economic policy: 1 And it came to so during those days that an edict from Csar Augustus was issued, requiring that all of the world be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And they all went to be taxed, each one to his or her own town.
4 Because he was descended from the house and lineage of David, Joseph also traveled up to Bethlehem from Galilee, where he had been living in the city of Nazareth, in order to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was nine months pregnant at the time.
The birth of Jesus is depicted in two quite distinct ways in the gospels of Luke and Matthew.

A pilgrimage to Bethlehem is conducted by Joseph and Mary in order to meet an imperial mandate that all persons return to their ancestral cities ″in order that the whole world may be taxed,″ according to the Gospel of Luke.
When the command had to be carried out, Mary was pregnant with Jesus, which explains why Jesus was born in Bethlehem rather than the town where his parents resided.
So the taxation policy followed by the Roman empire is tied to the account of how Christianity came to be founded in this way.

The fact that Emperor Augustus never issued such an order, that Quirinius (Cyrenius) was not governor of Syria at the time the birth was supposed to have occurred, and that there would be insurmountable logistical difficulties if everyone in the Roman Empire had to travel to their ancestral towns in order to be accounted for and pay their taxes have all been pointed out by historians.
Nonetheless, the stories told by Matthew and Luke have been combined into a composite account about the birth of Christ, which is told every year at Christmas.
It is worth noting that the painting ″The Numbering (Census) of the People of Bethlehem″ (1566) by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, in which the setting is changed from Bethlehem to a 16th century Flemish town, is a particularly interesting representation of this story.

A Long, Cold Road to Bethlehem: Nativity: Gospel accounts of Mary and Joseph’s journey gloss over the arduous reality of life and travel in ancient Galilee, scholars say.

A recently engaged couple is compelled to register for a census at a town that is hundreds of miles away.The woman is nine months pregnant at the time of writing.When they eventually arrive at their destination after a long and grueling journey, they will find that there is nowhere to stay.

In a stable, the woman gives birth to her child.
There is disagreement among scholars and clergy as to whether the Nativity stories recorded in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew are historical accounts or symbolic narratives of the history of Christianity.
It is obvious that the world of Mary and Joseph was a terrible and dangerous one, one whose severe conditions were not completely documented in the Gospel tales of their trials and tribulations.

According to James F.
Strange, a New Testament and biblical archeology professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa, the writers of the gospels of Matthew and Luke ″are so laconic about the event because they presume the reader would know what it was like.″ ″We have no concept how difficult that was,″ he said today, adding, ″we have no notion how difficult it was.″ Joseph and Mary’s difficulties would have began more than a week before the birth of their son, when the pair was required to leave their house in Nazareth, in the northern highlands of Galilee, in order to register for a Roman census, according to tradition.
There were 90 miles between them and the city of Joseph’s ancestors: south over the flatlands of the Jordan River, then west over the hills surrounding Jerusalem, and on into Bethlehem, where they finally arrived.

″It was a really exhausting journey,″ said Strange, who leads an excavation team in the ancient city of Sepphoris, which is located near Nazareth, Israel, every year.
″The most we can find in antiquity is that people traveled no more than 20 miles per day.″ And there was a lot of uphill and downhill on this trip.
″It was not an easy task.″ Because of Mary’s approaching birth, Strange believes that Joseph and Mary would have journeyed no more than 10 kilometers each day.
Strange also mentioned that their journey across the Judean desert would have taken place during the winter, when ″the temperature is in the 30s during the day and it rains like hell.″ ″It’s disgusting and depressing.
In addition, it would be chilly at night.″ Mary and Joseph would almost certainly have dressed in strong woolen cloaks designed to shed rain and snow in order to keep themselves safe during adverse weather.
The ancient inhabitants wore long robes that were belted around their waists under their cloaks.

Strange explained that the feet were covered by tube-like socks and enclosed shoes.Even worse, the unpaved, mountainous paths and severe weather were not the only dangers Joseph and Mary would have had to contend with on their trek southward.Strange claims that the highly wooded valley of the Jordan River was one of the most dreadful threats in ancient Palestine because of its proximity to the river.The forests were home to lions and bears, and visitors had to be on the lookout for wild boars.According to him, archeologists have discovered writings that warn travelers about the perils of the forest.According to the Rev.

Peter Vasko, a Catholic priest who serves as the director of the Holy Land Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Christian presence in Israel while also promoting the restoration of sacred Christian sites in the country, ″bandits, desert pirates, and robbers″ were also common hazards along major trade routes like the one Joseph and Mary would have traveled.Because of the fear of outlaws, single travelers were frequently compelled to join trade caravans for security.Mary and Joseph were had to carry their own food and supplies.

″They were transporting water in wineskins,″ Vasko explained.″They also brought a lot of bread….Breakfast would consist of dry bread, lunch would consist of oil and bread, and dinner would consist of herbs with oil and bread.″ When Joseph and Mary finally arrived in Bethlehem, the difficulties did not end there.According to him, under normal circumstances, the couple would have anticipated to be housed in the spare bedroom of a relative or another Jewish household, but they were not.An congested Bethlehem, on the other hand, would have obliged Joseph and Mary to seek accommodation in a squalid, primitive inn.

It is commonly accepted that Jesus was born in a cave that had previously been used to house animals.
The Renaissance depictions of Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus surrounded by a menagerie of camels, oxen, cow’s, chicken’s, phea’sants, and peacocks, however, raise the question of how realistic they are.
Strange believes that this is not the case.

Because the stable was a component of the inn, the only animals that were likely to be found there were donkeys, which were employed for transportation, and possibly a few sheep, according to him.
Both Strange and Vasko believe overcrowding in Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth would have resulted in others being near by during Mary’s delivery, which they believe is consistent with the biblical account.
According to Vasko, ″there were other people there at the birth of Jesus.″ ″It’s in our nature to want to aid someone.″ In another version of the Nativity story, ″it says that when it was time to deliver the baby, Joseph went out looking for a midwife,″ Strange said, referring to an uncanonical gospel written either by James, who is considered Jesus’ brother, or by James the apostle, and not included in the Bible.
Contrary to popular belief, even though Mary could have had assistance and the cave could have provided some protection from the elements, the ″noisy and dirty″ conditions in which Jesus was born would have rendered the event anything but ″warm, wonderful, sweet, and comfortable,″ according to Strange.

The Christmas Story – The Birth of Jesus

Introducing the most important portion of the Christmas Story: the birth of Jesus.The question is, why was Jesus born in such strange circumstances?Now, it so happened in those days that an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus requiring that everyone on the planet be registered.

When Quirinius was governor of Syria, this was the first time an enrolment was taken.
Everyone traveled to his or her own city to enroll themselves.
Then Joseph journeyed from Galilee, away from the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is known as Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David; he did this in order to enroll himself with Mary, who had been promised in marriage to him despite the fact that she was pregnant.

She was about to give birth when they were there, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him with bits of fabric, and placed him in a feeding trough because they were unable to stay in a guest room because there was none available.
Luke 2:2-7 is a passage from the Gospel of Luke.

The History behind the Birth of Jesus in the Christmas Story

Scholars believe that the census ordered by Caesar Augustus was the first of its type in recorded history.It was carried out because the Roman government want to ensure that all citizens of the Empire were paying their taxes in the proper manner.Censuses were taken all throughout the Empire (including much of Europe), but they were taken in Palestine in a Jewish manner rather than the traditional Roman manner.

As a result, families were required to register in their historical tribe town rather than where they resided at the time.
The fact that Joseph and the extremely pregnant Mary would have had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, which was the location where Joseph’s family (the royal line of David) originally hailed from, meant that they would have had to travel almost 70 miles each way (112 kilometres).
Alternatively, others believe that Bethlehem was also Joseph’s true hometown, and that he had journeyed to Nazareth to fetch Mary after they were betrothed/married, in order to take her back to his hometown where they would first reside.

It would have taken roughly three days to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, according to historical estimates.
When I was growing up, there were no such things as hotels or inns; instead, people would often stay with extended family or relatives.
When it comes to the Christmas narrative, it is frequently stated that ″there was no space in the inn.″ An proper translation of the word ″inn″ would be ″guest room,″ which is more formal.

In typical circumstances, you would stay with extended relatives in their ‘guest room,’ but because it was a busy time of year, the guest room was already fully booked.
Most dwellings would have been shared with the family’s animals, which would have been a common occurrence.
Houses had two levels: the upper/mezzanine level, where humans slept, and the ground floor, where the animals slept at night and the family lived during the day.
Houses were built with two stories.
During the night, the animals served as a form of ‘central heating,’ keeping the house warm!
The ‘guest room’ was frequently a place on the upper/mezzanine level of the home, or even a hut built on the flat roof of the building!

Because so many people were expected to go to Bethlehem for the census, all of the houses, or at least the upper floors, were completely occupied.Many people believe that Jesus was likely born around September or October at Sukkot, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, rather than during the month of December, as is traditionally believed.When the festival is in session, Jews dwell outside in tents or temporary shelters (the name ″tabernacle″ derives from a Latin word that literally means ″booth″ or ″hut″).Consequently, Joseph and Mary were likely forced to sleep with the animals on the lower level (where it is typical to have a manger carved into the wall where you lay the animal food), or even (though improbable) out in a stable, cave, or even a covered market stand where they sold animals to a crowd (these stalls could be rented during tabernacles).More information regarding this may be found in an essay published on the blog of theologian Rev Dr Ian Paul.As a result, it seems likely that Jesus was born in a ‘typical’ house at that time and in that place, surrounded by family members and other members of the community.

What you’re seeing there is much different from the image shown on many Christmas cards and in nativity sets!In ancient days, it was customary to wrap a newborn infant very tightly in lengthy bandages known as swaddling garments to keep him or her warm.The baby’s limbs and legs were similarly wrapped, making it impossible for them to move.

This was done because the parents believed it would assist the infant in developing strong, straight limbs!In addition, because there was no suitable cot available, the new newborn boy was placed in a manger, which is a feeding trough.There is a hypothesis that Jesus was born a couple of kilometers outside of Bethlehem, at a particular shepherds’ watchtower known as the Migdal Eder, which was built to keep watch over the flocks of sheep.As a result, it’s possible that Jesus was born among the shepherds.The birth of Jesus most likely did not take place in the year 0 but rather a few years earlier, in around 4, 5, 6, or 7 BCE/BC.

The dates that we use today were established by monks and religious leaders during the Middle Ages and even earlier in history.
It’s also possible that Jesus was actually born in the fall (around the festival of Tabernacles), rather than the winter!
The winters in Israel can be quite harsh, and it is considered that the census would have taken place during the spring or fall, when a large number of pilgrims from all across the nation travelled to Jerusalem to pay their respects (which is about six miles from Bethlehem).

Rev Dr Ian Paul has written an outstanding piece about the timing of Christmas based on the dates of Zechariah’s experience and the Temple Service, both of which occurred around the same time.

Which town did Mary and Joseph travel from to get to Bethlehem?

The city of Nazareth is the answer.There are a variety of explanations for why Joseph and a heavily pregnant Mary, riding on a donkey, embarked on their five-day (perhaps longer) trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem, which is commonly referred to as the Nativity Trail.Joseph’s home town was Bethlehem, thus he had to register his son’s birth there since severe rules were being implemented in order for every citizen to pay taxes, according to the major quotation from the Bible, which claims that Joseph’s home town was Bethlehem.

Despite the fact that Joseph and Mary reside in Nazareth, this is the case.
Many historians believe that the dates of this census do not correspond to the period when the emperor of the time, Augustus Caesar, ordered it.
Others believe that Mary received information in a dream from the angel Gabriel.

Regardless, it was a perilous 160-kilometer (give or take) trek that took them along the Jordan River and through the hills of Jerusalem, where they may meet wild animals and robbers.
Upon arriving, however, they discovered that there was no available space for them to stay.
They were compelled to sleep downstairs in a barn with animals, which was also the location of Mary’s birth.

This symbolizes the conclusion of one trip and the beginning of another, as Jesus was put in a manger (a trough for animal feed).

Saint Joseph

Saint Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus Christ and the spouse of the Virgin Mary, according to the gospels of Matthew and Luke, who first mentioned him in the book of Matthew.

Who Was Saint Joseph?

Saint Joseph is a biblical person who is revered as the bodily father of Jesus Christ in various Christian denominations.He is venerated as a saint in many Christian denominations.It is in the gospels of Matthew and Luke that Joseph first appears in the Bible; in Matthew, Joseph’s ancestry can be traced all the way back to King David.

According to the Bible, Joseph was born in 100 B.C.E.
and subsequently married the Virgin Mary, who was to become the mother of Jesus.
He died in Israel about the year 1 A.D.

Fact and Fiction

Almost all we know about Saint Joseph, Mary’s husband and the foster father of Jesus, comes from the Bible, and the few times he is mentioned, it isn’t particularly impressive.The 13 New Testament books authored by Paul (the epistles) contain no mention of him at all, and the Gospel of Mark, the earliest of the four Gospels, makes no mention of him at all.Joseph’s genealogy is traced back to King David in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, with one of them (Matthew) tracing Joseph’s pedigree all the way back to King David.

Additionally, some apocryphal writings — such as the second-century Protevangelium of James and the fourth-century History of Joseph the Carpenter — muddy the historical waters even further by portraying Joseph as a widower with children when he met Mary, and by claiming that he lived to the ripe old age of 111 years.
But these assertions are false, and the church does not recognize them as such.

Marriage to Mary

As soon as Joseph discovered that Mary was already pregnant, he chose to divorce her privately, knowing that if he did so openly, she would be stoned to death (Matt.1:19).Because he was ″a kind man and hesitant to put her to disgrace,″ he did not want to ″bring her to shame.″