Almost every film, every play, and every nativity scene planted in front yards depicts Mary on a donkey. While these nativity scenes remind us of the wonder and awe of the night of Jesus’ birth. There may be misconceptions about the night of our wonderful Savior’s birth. They all tell the Christmas story but are they correct? Is it okay to use a theatrical license to retell the story? Either way, it does cause us to wonder what the journey to Bethlehem was like. Matthew 21:7 “They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on.” What Does the Bible Actually Tell Us about Their Entrance?

Did Mary ride a donkey to Bethlehem? - Aleteia

The hand of God is seen everywhere, even here, with His using a Roman census to get Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” What Is the Significance of Mary and Joseph's Entrance? A few months ago, the day Joseph first brought you to his parents’ stable, I had a visitor from Heaven. An angel came to see me. Yes, Donkey, a real angel! And what a wonderful message he brought from God Himself! He said that God had chosen me to become the mother of His Son.

We also know they were subject to living under the burden of Roman military and judicial rule. They were taxed by both Rome and the Temple. They were simple people living a very simple way of life which meant they experience the gap inequality between the rich and the poor. He went there to be registered with Mary, who had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant. From the poverty of Jesus’ simple beginnings being born to simple parents who traveled to Jerusalem in search of a place to rest—is the journey we all make as we find our way to God through the “Bread of Life.” Some of us wander the earth for years looking for a way to rid ourselves of the heavy burdens we carry. It’s not until we receive Jesus, that we are debt-free of the wages of death. From poverty, Jesus’ birth becomes the miracle of our redemption. Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” One evening when Mary was having dinner with Joseph and her future inlaws, Joseph decided to introduce Donkey to Mary and let her decide on a proper name for him. After dinner, he took her into the stable and left Mary and Donkey alone to get acquainted while he finished some work in the pasture.

Mary’s Donkey – a Christmas Story, Part 1 – Jeannie Thompson

Mary was so pleased with Donkey! Joseph had just finished grooming him before she arrived. He was a beautiful donkey, and he and Mary bonded right away. After petting him for a few minutes, she said to him, “Donkey, you are already special to me, and I want to give you a special name. A SPECIAL INVITATION FOR YOU: You are invited to attend Joseph and Mary’s wedding and later to travel with them and with Gabe to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of God’s very own Son, Jesus! Be sure to join us for the conclusion of our story, Mary’s Donkey – a Christmas Story, Part 2.Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. There is no mention of a donkey, camel, or any other mode of transportation. Where the donkey tradition originated

Did Mary Really Ride on a Donkey into Bethlehem? - Crosswalk

We may never know the exact mode of transportation that Joseph and Mary used, but we do know the possibilities are many. They could have used a donkey, walked there on foot, or traveled with others in a caravan. As a very young colt, whenever Donkey was moved to a different farm and met some new donkeys, he would trot up to a lady donkey and ask with renewed hope, “Are you my mama?” Of course, his search was in vain. As he grew a little older, Donkey no longer brayed this question aloud, even though finding his mama was still a longing in his heart.Whatever it might have been, the road was arduous, and their journey encourages us along our own spiritual journey to the feast of Christmas. A donkey colt had just been born. At that very moment, his mother died, but he was not alone; God was with him, just as He is with every creature. And this donkey would be part of a wonderful miracle, the birth of Jesus! We also know Mary never had any relations with Joseph and both were chosen by God to be Jesus’ earthly parents. When they did make it to their destination, Jesus was birthed in a manger. Our King of kings wasn’t born in a palace or a home for that matter. He was birthed in a stable which was used as a shelter to keep animals out of the elements. Because there was no room to lay him anywhere, Mary laid him in a feeding trough. From the onset of His birth, He becomes the sacrifice as He was wrapped in bandages foreshadowing the day of His death. And the feeding trough becomes an altar. Thus, the manger becomes a reference to the table of God in which we are invited to receive the Bread of Life.