Why did Mary go to Bethlehem?
At first,t he answer might seem obvious: Because Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering a census, and she had to go. But that's not exactly true. Joseph had to go. Mary didn't. Only men had to register. The normal, practical thing would have been for Joseph to make the 85-mile trip to Bethlehem, register, and then come back home.
Why did Mary go to Bethlehem? It made no sense at all. Did Joseph and Mary get into a little argument about it?
Did Joseph the practical, logical carpenter say, "Now look, Mary, this just doesn't make sense. It's a long trip - a couple of days each way - and it's a bad time of the year with this weather, and because of this decree it's going to be crowded, and you're due any day now. For heaven's sake, the onyl sensible thing is for you to stay here with your relatives while I take care of this"?
But Mary wanted to be with Joseph. And by going, she affected the way God is with us in this world.
Just as our actions can affect that way God is with this world. Something to think about.
- Little Blue Book, Diocese of Saginaw