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So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
Luke 2:4-5 BSB
According to Google Maps the shortest route from Nazareth to Bethlehem is 145km.
145km!
And Mary is expecting a child...in my mind the timeline has always been short, with a quick trip to Bethlehem and next day the baby is born, and that night the shepherds turn up and the following day there's people with presents, Boxing Day sales and we move on to the next thing...
But I wonder if this whole journey and time in Bethlehem was a bit longer...this is God entering the story as a person and no one is in a hurry. 
This isn't an event that we just experience and then move on from. These were moments in time which are a hinge which change the trajectory of humanity, that welcome in a new era, a new way, moments that really started with Jesus conception, and became a reality to the world at his birth. 
No one was in a hurry.
And neither should we be.
#randomchristmasthoughts

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