Luke 2:1–5
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.”
Every journey God calls us on will change us — not just our surroundings, but our hearts. Some journeys are brief and simple, while others push us beyond what we believe we can endure. But each step, obstacle, and moment of uncertainty has a purpose in God’s plan.
Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem wasn’t glamorous or easy. It was a 90-mile walk across rough terrain while Mary was pregnant. Traditionally, people believe Mary was nine months pregnant, but the Bible doesn’t say that; she might have been only three months. Still, it was a hard journey. When they arrived in Bethlehem, it finally came time for her to deliver. Their obedience, trust, and willingness to follow God’s path brought the Savior into the world.
Today, I want to look at three journeys: Mary and Joseph’s journey, Jesus’ journey, and our journey — because God is still leading people today on paths that require faith, courage, and surrender.
Mary and Joseph’s Journey
Mary’s journey didn’t begin on the road to Bethlehem; it began with a word from God. The angel Gabriel appeared to her and said, Luke 1:28-30
Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!
She was young, engaged, and her life was suddenly interrupted by the divine. She would carry the Son of God. The angel told her, “Do not be afraid.” She said “yes” to God, to something that never happened before and also something that put her at risk to losing everything, including her dream for happiness. But God….
Then came Joseph’s turn. When he heard that Mary was pregnant, he must have wrestled with confusion and disappointment. Yet God met him too — through a dream — and said,
Matthew 1:20-23
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Joseph said “yes” to surrendering to God. Remember, in over 400 years, no one has heard the voice of the Lord. And now, all of a sudden, both he and Mary are hearing from God. Two people who were just ordinary, everyday people, and God has a big plan for them …and they said yes!
Both Mary and Joseph faced uncertainty, but they chose obedience. They trusted that God’s plan was greater than their fear.
God doesn’t just call us to comfort — He calls us to faith. Like Mary and Joseph, our journeys often begin with a word from God that challenges us to move even when we don’t see the full picture.
Faith doesn’t remove the difficulty of the road — it gives purpose to every step.
Jesus’ Journey
Luke tells us that while Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem…
Luke 2:6,7a
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger,
The Son of God entered this world not in a palace, but in a manger.
But that’s not where Jesus’ journey began — and it’s not where it ended.
John 1:1-5
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
AND
Philippians 2:6-8
“ Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
Think about that — Jesus left the glory of heaven to walk the dust of earth. His journey was one of humility, love, and sacrifice.
He healed the sick, forgave the broken, and taught truth, that changed hearts. But the road He walked led to a cross ….because He knew the destination was worth the pain.
Think about it, He is God, he created the dust he is walking on, he created all the people he came across, He even created the hill on which he was crucified
And that journey didn’t end in death…it led to resurrection. The greatest journey ever taken was for you.
Our Journey
Each of us is on a journey….one filled with moments of beauty and moments of hardship. There are times when the path feels smooth, and times when we stumble in the dark, wondering where God is leading us.
But hear me today: God never wastes a step.
Jesus said in John 10:10,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly..”
That means this journey — the one you’re on right now — isn’t random. It’s meant to shape you, stretch you, and change you into the person God created you to be.
You may not understand every turn, but if you’ll trust Him, He’ll use every mile to grow you. The valleys will teach you dependence. The mountains will reveal His faithfulness. The waiting will deepen your worship.
And maybe today, like Mary and Joseph, God’s asking you to take a step of obedience — to follow even when it doesn’t make sense, to trust even when the journey feels long. To say, “Yes!” to Him! Not really knowing or understanding the full plan, but knowing it is for your good because you love and trust God! Mary and Joseph certainly did not know all the ways the Lord would lead them, but they knew it would be an amazing journey that they wouldn’t fully understand until the end. Still, they chose to trust God above their logic, dreams, and circumstances.
So where are you on your journey?
Maybe you’ve been walking in circles, stuck in fear or confusion. Maybe the road has worn you down, and you’ve started to wonder if God has forgotten you. Or maybe you’ve never truly begun the journey of following Jesus.
Today, God is calling you to take that next step… to trust Him again.
If you’ve never surrendered your life to Christ, this is your moment. He made His journey from heaven to earth so you could begin yours with Him today.
If you have been following Him, but you’ve grown weary, hear this: The same God who led Mary and Joseph through uncertainty and raised Jesus from the grave is walking with you now.
He will heal you, strengthen you, bless you, allow you to see through His eyes the great plans he has for you! When the Lord is done with your journey on earth, he takes you home but not until then!
The road may be long, but it leads to life. Let Him strengthen your steps and renew your purpose.