From Nazareth to the Manger: Gathering Supplies

December 14- Gathering Supplies


Joseph has been examining his own thoughts and fears. He is determined to be obedient to God’s call. As he gathers supplies for the trip ahead, let’s take a look at what it might have been like to prepare for this kind of journey.

It is nearing nightfall. Joseph sits inside his partially finished home facing the wall farthest from the door. He stares at the hiding place he built into the wall. He has been saving his shekels, minas, assarions, and quadrants over the last 12 months. Since signing the ketubah (the first phase of their marriage contract), Joseph had been working to save up the money required of him by Joachim. Now that this money is needed for their journey, who knows how long it will take before Joseph and Mary can celebrate the final stages of their union. Joseph runs his dusty fingers across his brow. It doesn’t matter now. There is a journey ahead of them and there is the child, of course.

They’ll need clean water, fish, and bread for the journey. They will be able to stop halfway in Sychar to replenish needed items. Supplies are not the problem. What worries Joseph most is Mary’s condition. What will all of this walking be like? She claims that the days required for the journey are less in number than the days before the arrival of the child. Hopefully she does not tire too quickly. She’s so young and he worries about her becoming ill or injured. That is the part that will require the most faith.

The sound of children squealing in the street outside brings Joseph away from his thoughts. The child. What will this child be like? Will he laugh and play? Will he scrape his knees? How will Joseph provide for him? He’s not worried about the boy’s physical needs. Any man can feed a family. Any man can provide a roof over their heads. The real question is: how does a man prepare to truly provide for the Son of God? What Joseph fails to realize is that the Son is not coming to have His needs met but to meet the needs of all mankind. Even the act of His impending birth will bear witness to God’s great and mighty provision.