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.

Did Mary ride a donkey to Bethlehem? - Aleteia

From the poverty of Jesus’ simple beginnings being born to simple parents who traveled to Jerusalem in search of a place to rest—is the journey we all make as we find our way to God through the “Bread of Life.” Some of us wander the earth for years looking for a way to rid ourselves of the heavy burdens we carry. It’s not until we receive Jesus, that we are debt-free of the wages of death. From poverty, Jesus’ birth becomes the miracle of our redemption. 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.

This doesn’t mean we need to become legalistic about the details of Christ’s birth. Nor do we need to toss out our nativity scenes. Instead, we enjoy the Christmas narrative and hold close to the truth found in Scripture. Tabernacles: which was in autumn – see Leviticus 23:24. John 1:14. Jesus “dwelt among us”. Literally, the meaning is – Jesus “tabernacled among us”. 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!

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

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. 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. A few months ago, the day Joseph first brought you to his parents’ stable, I had a visitor from Heaven. An angel came to see me. Yes, Donkey, a real angel! And what a wonderful message he brought from God Himself! He said that God had chosen me to become the mother of His Son.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: Jerusalem covered one square mile and had an estimated population of 200,000, with one million pilgrims annually, mainly arriving for the religious feasts. 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. Donkey was fully content in the life God had planned for him. His loyalty and his kindness in helping other creatures had become his way of showing the love and purpose that God had placed in his little donkey heart. And he himself felt very much loved. Donkeys or asses were the normal animals used to carry loads and are still used in many countries today. Horses were only used by the rich or as a war animal.

Mary traveled with Joseph on a donkey | Bibleview

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?

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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. 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. 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.