The Christmas story, familiar as it may seem, holds fascinating details often overlooked. Beyond the manger and the star, lies a tale of arduous journeys and unwavering faith. One journey, in particular, sparks curiosity: How Far Did Mary Travel To Bethlehem? Biblical geographer Nicole DePue ’08 sheds light on the potential realities of these journeys.
DePue’s personal experience ascending the Masada mesa mirrors the challenges faced by Mary and Joseph. “I understand what it’s like to rely on God to get through a physical challenge to do what he’s called you to do,” says DePue, drawing a parallel between her climb and Mary and Joseph’s trek to Bethlehem. This journey, seemingly a brief passage in the Bible, involves incredible human endurance.
Nicole DePue with her family at the Herodium in Israel
Here are insights that offer a fresh perspective on Mary’s journey and the Christmas narrative:
Jesus’s Birth: Possibly a Spring Event?
Why would Mary and Joseph undertake an 80-mile journey to Bethlehem so late in her pregnancy? DePue suggests it might not have been winter. Winter travel was dangerous for pregnant women. “During the winter season, it’s rainy and would have gotten below freezing quite a bit. It would be very dangerous for Mary.” Waiting for safer conditions, even close to her due date, might have been necessary. The lack of emphasis on celebrating birthdays in Jewish and early Christian traditions further obscures the actual time of year. The adoption of December 25th as Christmas, DePue explains, coincided with existing pagan celebrations, a strategic move by early Christians.
The Week-Long Trek to Bethlehem
Current estimates suggest a four-day journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, requiring Mary and Joseph to cover approximately 90 miles. But DePue challenges this notion. Averaging a 2.5-mph pace for eight hours daily seems impractical, especially for a heavily pregnant woman. “Most Bible scholars, in my experience, are men,” she observes. “And I don’t think they really understand what it would be like to travel as a pregnant woman in her third trimester.”
DePue proposes a more realistic timeline of one week, averaging 12 miles (six hours of travel) at 2 mph. This allows for necessary breaks and prioritizes Mary’s well-being.
DePue maps out a potential itinerary:
- Day 1: Nazareth to Beth Shean
- Day 2–3: Beth Shean through the Jordan River Valley (camping near the river)
- Day 4: Jordan River Valley to Jericho/North end of the Dead Sea
- Day 5–6: Jericho/North end of the Dead Sea to Jerusalem (a continuous ascent)
- Day 7: Jerusalem to Bethlehem (the shortest leg, five miles downhill)
Map of Mary and Joseph's Possible Route
Bethlehem Journey: A Foreshadowing of Palm Sunday?
Whether Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem remains uncertain. However, DePue highlights the symbolism if she did. Mary’s arrival in Jerusalem from the East on a donkey, carrying Jesus in her womb, mirrors Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. This parallel suggests a possible bookend to Jesus’s life.
The Magi: Ancient Astronomers from Babylon
The magi’s origins and knowledge of the star remain enigmatic. DePue points to Babylon as their likely home. “‘The East’ usually meant Babylon.” Their journey, following either Abraham’s path or a more direct route through modern-day Jordan, was extensive. Furthermore, they weren’t magicians, but rather “diviners—people who looked to the stars to gain perspective… astronomers/astrologists.”
The Magi’s Visit: Nazareth, Not Bethlehem?
Given the distance from Babylon (over 900 miles), the Magi’s arrival in Jerusalem seeking a “child” suggests a lengthy journey. This supports DePue’s theory that the Magi found Jesus in Nazareth, not Bethlehem. The Bible describes them finding Jesus in a “house,” not a manger. Moreover, the Magi’s return route, avoiding Herod, makes more sense if they departed from Nazareth.
These details offer a new perspective on the dedication of Mary, Joseph, and the Magi in welcoming Christ into the world.
