The Journey is ended...and Begun.

Day 18: Jerusalem. Crowded, filled with Roman soldiers. Arrival at the home of Mary's first cousin, Elizabeth, and her husband the priest Zacharias, whose six-month-old baby will be known as John the Baptist. The two couples meet in awe. They are the only people in the world who know the world's most tremendous news, and yet they can say nothing.

Day 19: Joseph busies himself about Jerusalem securing exit visas. He gawks at the paved streets, the covered shops, the Roman barracks, at the five great palaces and the huge Roman fortress named for Mark Antony--and especially at the great Temple, its eaves and pinnacles sheathed in pure gold. Mary is puzzled--and not for the first time--by the ways of God. Her time is near. Would it not be fitting that her holy Baby be born in that holy temple? But at dawn they must leave...

Day 20: Late this day the weary couple pass through the walls of Bethlehem, a center for sheep and cattle farming, know for the sweet water of its wells, its synagogue, for King David's house and land.
Joseph is alarmed. Mary's birthing pains have begun. But first he rushes to register with the Romans before it is too late. Then he seeks lodging. But the town is swarming with other members of David's tribe and nothing is available. Frantically, they leave the town and find shelter in one of the caves that shepherds use for stables. There are hayracks and mangers there, and a warming fire.
On this night, Mary's Child, the Son of God, is born. The journey is ended...and begun.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."'

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.'

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'"