My journey to the manager: Was the road long?

A young and soon to be father leads his wife and soon to be mother on a donkey.   A very soon to be mother.  

The pictures all seem so serene and peaceful.  

A handsome Joseph leading a smiling Mary on an obedient donkey.

I wonder what it could have been like on that road.

 The world was in chaos.  They were told they were carrying the child of God.   (Just that knowledge would freak me out!)  She was pregnant, tired and emotional.  

Were they feeling vulnerable?  Afraid?  

Did they collapse along the side of the road in tears at one point along this road?

Was Joseph wondering if he could provide and be an earthly father for this boy?  Could he protect Mary?  

Did Mary have the concerns all young mom's have?  What is delivery going to be like?  Where will we sleep?  Who will be there?  How does it feel?  Will I be all alone?

Could they have wondered what this child of God would look like?  Be like?

Living their calling out on a long and lonely road to Bethlehem.

I wonder if it felt the way I feel sometimes.  When I feel pregnant with desire and dreams and so full of fear and inadequacy.

Did they cry out, "Wait, I'm not ready for this?"

And yet know.

The baby would soon come, ready or not.