The Holy Family is travelling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and we want to travel with them. We hope these letters, narrating the trip from St. Joseph’s perspective, helps all of us get ready for the journey, face the challenges that come our way, and, above all, prepare our hearts to welcome God, who makes Himself a Child for us.

 Download all six letters as an ebook: Joseph’s Journal (epub)

Only two days have passed since I last wrote, but they feel like an eternity. So many things have happened in such little time!

We arrived in Bethlehem yesterday, shortly after midday. After saying goodbye to the families we got to know on the journey, we began the difficult task of finding a place to spend the night.

I don’t want to go into too much detail. We didn’t find a place to stay. God’s timing is a mystery, and while I was walking from one inn to another, the time for the Child’s birth arrived.

All the doubts I’d felt up to that point — my lack of preparation, my exhaustion, my sense of helplessness — came to a climax. A terrible anguish took hold of my heart. God had chosen me to care for his family, and yet our situation could not have been more precarious. I prayed with all my strength as I walked Bethlehem’s streets, hoping I had somehow missed an inn.

I asked some children playing at a street corner. At first, they just whispered among themselves without answering me. But eventually the eldest offered to ask his father to lend us the stable where he kept his animals.

“It’s not much. There’s barely room for our mule, but at least you’ll be sheltered from the wind.”

A few hours later, the cry of a newborn filled the night.

I hardly know what to say about Jesus. He’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen, though I’m sure all parents feel the same. Mary cleaned Him and wrapped Him in the swaddling clothes we’d brought while I cleaned out the manger. It seemed the best place to lay Him, since we don’t have a cradle.

Mary and I spent the night gazing at the Child. Before dawn, a group of shepherds brought us milk and bread and told us incredible stories of music and angels from Heaven. When they left, Mary fell asleep in a corner of the stable. The Child began to cry, and I took Him in my arms.

All my fears and worries, doubts and uncertainties, faded away as I looked at the newborn baby. God slept against my chest, entirely entrusted to my care. If God trusts me, how can I fail to trust Him? When all is said and done, I did what I could, and He took care of everything. I smiled to myself. When my father taught me to be a carpenter, he began by giving me small tasks, even though I think I got in the way more than I helped. Even so, he let me take part because he enjoyed the work being “ours.” Similarly, God wants the Christmas story to be ours: his, mine, and yours, too.

At dawn, I went out once more to look for an inn, without success. Still, I took the opportunity to offer my services as a carpenter everywhere I stopped. I hope to begin receiving some work soon, because our savings will last only a few more days.

I am at peace. In the sky, the star shines over the stable. On earth, Mary’s eyes shine as she watches the sleeping Child. And from the manger, God made Child waits and longs for you to come and see Him. I’m waiting for you too.