'Look on the bright side." I said to Mary,
"The announcement of the Census is now the major topic of discussion,
and your 'surprise' pregnancy is now yesterday's news!"
"Imagine losing count during a census,
and having to start again..." giggled Mary.
" I should imagine they keep very accurate records, " I replied,
though I was amused at the idea of the census counters getting say 50,000 in,
losing count and having to start again....
"They may want to know exactly how much money they can raise through taxation."
"I wonder if this one will arrive before the census."Mary pondered.
"Time will tell, meanwhile we have a journey to go on, I am afraid."
"Do we need to go far, " asked Mary, stroking her heavily extended stomach.
"Bethlehem, where my family is desend from.
Just a few days journey.
We will take it slowly..."
I took care to inject a note of optimism into my voice,
but in reality I really was quite worried.
It really wasn't ideal for a heavily pregnant woman to travel that distance.
To make things worse, Mary is still quite young
and this is her first child.
What if things go wrong?
I can't pull the wool over Mary's eyes, though.
She suddenly reached out and took my hand, and said.
"Don't worry, Joseph, God has got all this planned,
right down to when and where the baby will be born.
Our role is to trust the plan of the Creator God,
and to follow instructions,
whether from God or Caesar Augustus."
We smiled at each other.
"You are right, Mary.
I am sorry, I was used to a life where things were certain.
I knew what I was going to make,
what wood and tools I would use,
When I would start and stop work each day,
what I would eat,
and where I would sleep.
I even thought I knew when I was getting married,
but God changed that as well!.
God has changed a lot of things recently,
and I think more changes lie ahead,
but I am getting accostomed to the unpredictable."
Mary smiled.
"At least the intended wife stayed the same!"
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