Mary's Little Donkey

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Whatever it might have been, the road was arduous, and their journey encourages us along our own spiritual journey to the feast of Christmas.

Mary traveled with Joseph on a donkey | Bibleview

The angel’s name is Gabriel, and I think ‘Gabriel’ would be a perfect name for you, Donkey. I’ll call you ‘Gabe’ for short!” Donkey looked at Mary and nuzzled her hand. His long ears twitched over a broad smile as if he understood her and was pleased with his new name! After all, he didn’t know another donkey in Nazareth that had been named for an angel! We do know for sure Jesus was born over 2,000 years ago. As The Message puts it, God " became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood." While some of the details of Christ's birth have been romanticized by Hollywood, the definitive truth remains both at the heart of Christmas and for those who seek Jesus.A SPECIAL INVITATION FOR YOU: You are invited to attend Joseph and Mary’s wedding and later to travel with them and with Gabe to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of God’s very own Son, Jesus! Be sure to join us for the conclusion of our story, Mary’s Donkey – a Christmas Story, Part 2. Most of the lady donkeys would have adopted him as their own little colt, but this was not to be. Just as Donkey thought he had found a foster mother, he would find himself on another farm. But God had not forgotten him. And finally, Donkey had accepted the fact that he might never know his natural mother, or have a foster mother.

Mary’s Donkey – a Christmas Story, Part 1 – Jeannie Thompson

From a very early age, the little donkey was passed along from one owner to another. He never stayed in one place very long, and that’s why he had never been given a name of his own. Everyone just knew him as “Donkey”. Only God knew Donkey’s mother. Only God knew Donkey’s name. Almost every film, every play, and every nativity scene planted in front yards depicts Mary on a donkey. While these nativity scenes remind us of the wonder and awe of the night of Jesus’ birth. There may be misconceptions about the night of our wonderful Savior’s birth. They all tell the Christmas story but are they correct? Is it okay to use a theatrical license to retell the story? Either way, it does cause us to wonder what the journey to Bethlehem was like. Tabernacles: which was in autumn – see Leviticus 23:24. John 1:14. Jesus “dwelt among us”. Literally, the meaning is – Jesus “tabernacled among us”.

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Mary was so pleased with Donkey! Joseph had just finished grooming him before she arrived. He was a beautiful donkey, and he and Mary bonded right away. After petting him for a few minutes, she said to him, “Donkey, you are already special to me, and I want to give you a special name. One evening when Mary was having dinner with Joseph and her future inlaws, Joseph decided to introduce Donkey to Mary and let her decide on a proper name for him. After dinner, he took her into the stable and left Mary and Donkey alone to get acquainted while he finished some work in the pasture. Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” We do not know the name or breed of the donkey that was used to carry Mary, who was pregnant at the time with Jesus.

Did Mary ride a donkey to Bethlehem? - Aleteia

He went there to be registered with Mary, who had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant. The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem could have taken 4-6 days by foot to cover the 120 km or 75 mile journey.Joseph had just become betrothed to a young woman named Mary, who also lived in Nazareth. Mary was still in her teens, several years younger than Joseph, but he had been attracted to Mary for a long time. Her kindness to everyone and her devotion to the Lord touched all who knew her. Chris Mueller in an article for Ascension Press paints a much different picture. Mary and Joseph were not the only ones taking the journey. More than likely, the routes between cities were crowded with travelers. Nobody would consider taking a trip like this alone. It would not have been safe, as the territory between towns was not policed and bandits would have been a real concern. The people probably traveled in great caravans for convenience and safety. Mary and Joseph would have been among the vast migration of people. It must have been an incredible sight to see. The story of the journey to Bethlehem is found in chapter two of Luke. Verses 1-21 tell us about the journey, Jesus’ birth, and the first eight days after his birth. However, only Luke 2:4-7 give us any details of their journey to Bethlehem: The most common image of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem features a pregnant Mary riding a donkey, while Joseph is leading the way on foot. We may never know the exact mode of transportation that Joseph and Mary used, but we do know the possibilities are many. They could have used a donkey, walked there on foot, or traveled with others in a caravan.

Did Mary Really Ride on a Donkey into Bethlehem? - Crosswalk

Matthew 21:7 “They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.” What Does the Bible Actually Tell Us about Their Entrance? It is possible that St. Joseph did in fact lead Mary to Bethlehem on a donkey. This was a common way of traveling at the time and donkeys were popular among all classes of people. Possibly a caravan We also know they were subject to living under the burden of Roman military and judicial rule. They were taxed by both Rome and the Temple. They were simple people living a very simple way of life which meant they experience the gap inequality between the rich and the poor. The Gospel itself leaves out such details, as everyone knew at the time it was composed how people traveled. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. (Luke 2:3-7) A donkey colt had just been born. At that very moment, his mother died, but he was not alone; God was with him, just as He is with every creature. And this donkey would be part of a wonderful miracle, the birth of Jesus!

What Is the Significance of Mary and Joseph's Entrance?

As a very young colt, whenever Donkey was moved to a different farm and met some new donkeys, he would trot up to a lady donkey and ask with renewed hope, “Are you my mama?” Of course, his search was in vain. As he grew a little older, Donkey no longer brayed this question aloud, even though finding his mama was still a longing in his heart. But Donkey was so kind and helpful that wherever he happened to be living at the time, he made many friends. He was also a favorite playmate among the other young animals. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” What Is the Significance of Mary and Joseph's Entrance?