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. Nazareth to Bethlehem was a four to six-day journey over rough tracks with wild animals and robbers. We may never know the exact mode of transportation that Joseph and Mary used, but we do know the possibilities are many.

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

Isaiah 21:7 “When he sees chariots with teams of horses, riders on donkeys or riders on camels, let him be alert, fully alert.He went there to be registered with Mary, who had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant. This was a common way of traveling at the time and donkeys were popular among all classes of people. It would not have been safe, as the territory between towns was not policed and bandits would have been a real concern.

Did Mary ride a donkey to Bethlehem? - Aleteia

Other stories in the Bible give us details about modes of transportation from the very early books of the Bible. 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! Almost every film, every play, and every nativity scene planted in front yards depicts Mary on a donkey. The lovely picture of Mary and Gabe was created by our own Chris Thompson and appears with many other illustrations in the book he illustrated: and God said… Let there be donkeys! His long ears twitched over a broad smile as if he understood her and was pleased with his new name!

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. But Donkey was so kind and helpful that wherever he happened to be living at the time, he made many friends.