I bit my lip to keep from crying out in pain. I was on another road now, traveling with Joseph to Bethlehem. It’s 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and as I rode on the back of a small donkey I felt each hoofbeat on that long journey! The journey had been difficult in many ways since the night I was accosted by the light. My parents eventually seemed pleased that God had found favor with me. But, when I told Joseph what had happened he remained silent. He clenched his teeth to keep from accusing me of betrayal, and his anger made the veins in his neck tighten. He told me curtly to go back to my father’s house.

I lay on my cot for two days. Finally, Joseph came and asked permission to speak to me. I could tell when I saw him that something had changed. He held out his hand and led me to t…