While reading our first Christmas book on the first Sunday of Advent, I reflected on the feelings Mary might have had as she and Joseph looked for a place to stay in Bethlehem. I considered how this was Joseph's extended familys town.
Why wasn't there anyone to welcome them? Had they all moved to neighboring town and they too were looking for a place to stay?
Was there some stigma in that Mary had been with child before their marriage?
What was it like to be nine months pregnant and not have a place that gives comfort?
Was Mary able to share openly with Joseph her thoughts as they were beginning their life together?
I also thought about early in my marriage how my husband and I traveled back to his college town. After an initial discussion about calling ahead for lodging, my husband convinced me that we could easily find something. It was a small town, but lots of hotels. (This was before internet reservations!)
But wouldn't you know it after a 7 hour drive, we discovered it was homecoming weekend for the other two colleges in the town. And every hotel was full.
I was unable to show the virtue which Mary did. I complained. I whined. I wasn't even pregnant. And we weren't going to see his family.
Praying this Advent to learn more from Mary...and contemplate with her at the manger.