Last week we explored the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth. After learning of her pregnancy Marry immediately set out to visit her cousin Elizabeth, an older woman probably about 60 who also was pregnant with John the Baptist.

Elizabeth upon seeing Mary immediately was impacted by the Holy Spirit and blessed Mary, recognizing that Mary was carrying the long expected Messiah.

While visiting Elizabeth, Mary likely talked to Joseph and told him of her pregnancy. Joseph was at first disappointed and like Mary was visited by the Holy Spirit in a dream and told to accept Mary’s story of an immaculate conception.

This week we find Mary and Joseph back in Nazareth married. The Roman empire had imposed a census on all those living in the empire and required everyone to return to their home towns to be taxed. since Joseph is from Bethlehem, they are forced–very late in Mary’s pregnancy–to make the difficult 80 mile trip back to Bethlehem. Surely this is a trip Mary did not want to take.