Mary and David were alone. The walk to Bethlehem was not an easy one. Young Mary was expecting a baby any minute. She rode on the back of a donkey because her labor pains had already begun.
Have you ever considered the anxious thoughts that might have been going through Mary's exhausted mind and the remembrance of the Angel who visited her and told her of this day. Did she worry about raising this child whom the Angel called Jesus the Messiah? Did she consider the dangers of raising this baby and how Jesus might change her and David's lives forever? Did she fear the pains of childbirth? Did she fear she would not be a worthy mother for Jesus or a good wife to David?
Or did she have peace?
Was David thinking of his responsibilities as a husband, father, and provider for this new family? Did he still have doubts about the child being Jesus the Lord? Did he wonder how he was going to protect his family from the ones who would judge and ridicule them when they learned Jesus was the Messiah? Maybe he felt the only way to protect them was to keep things quiet, at least until the boy grew older and could protect himself.
Or did he have peace as he spoke to Mary of God's promise,
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
'Today, as you gather with family and friends consider the thoughts that surrounded Jesus's birth. Mary who was the first to learn that she was to bare God's child. Joseph who was to be the husband Mary needed and the father Jesus would learn from. The Shepherds who were the first to be told of the coming birth. And the multitude of Angels who sat in heavenly places singing,
"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14