Refreshed from a good night’s sleep at the oasis, Mary and Joseph continued on the road to Bethlehem. They began to see other families on the road, families like themselves who had made the journey from distant towns to obey the Emperor’s decree. 

“Bethlehem can’t be far now,” said Joseph. “Soon we will have proper shelter.” 

Mary prayed that Joseph was right and that they would reach Bethlehem before the baby’s birth. Mary and Joseph stopped to rest at the top of a hill. Joseph fed what was left of the fodder to their donkey, and then they each took sips of the freshwater they had brought from the oasis. Joseph surveyed the land that stretched out before them. 

“Look!” he exclaimed. 

Mary stood up to look where Joseph was pointing. There was a town just beyond the next hill. 

“Bethlehem!” cried Mary. Once again God had answered her prayers.