though upon what you posted nothing says in scripture Joseph and Mary even stayed in Bethlehem for more than a day or two, they could have very well went back to Nazareth right after the census which is about a five days journey 90 miles on foot even shorter if on horse back,
then they could have circumised Jesus in Nazareth on the 8th day, then waited some 30 days then traveled back to Jerusalem for the purification rites. scripture says they offered two turtledoves or two pigeons, this implies they were poor, so the Magi had to come after Mary's purification days, the 8 days for circumised plus the 33 days Mary had to wait until entering the temple, because if the magi had come before that, they would have had money to offer the two lambs instead of the two turtledoves or pigeons.
then they could have circumised Jesus in Nazareth on the 8th day, then waited some 30 days then traveled back to Jerusalem for the purification rites. scripture says they offered two turtledoves or two pigeons, this implies they were poor, so the Magi had to come after Mary's purification days, the 8 days for circumised plus the 33 days Mary had to wait until entering the temple, because if the magi had come before that, they would have had money to offer the two lambs instead of the two turtledoves or pigeons.
Now you're suggesting they left Bethlehem, traveled 90 miles on foot, and made it home to Nazareth in time to circumcise Jesus when He was 8 days old. Then turn around and travel back to Jerusalem. That is easy enough for us in our day and time, but back then? on foot? after just having given birth? and having to tend to an infant? ... just some thoughts to ponder
You mention the fact that they were not rich. Joseph was a carpenter and he could have worked in Bethlehem to support his young family while they stayed there.
Also note that Lev 12 indicates Mary was considered "unclean" until the completion of the day of her purification. I do not know what protocol was followed when someone was considered unclean, but I don't know if she would have been able to travel freely and openly.
IamWhoIam said:
the direction the magi was traveling from Jerusalem in my opinion has not much weight, for the star they seen and guided them could very easily turned them around and they traveled to Nazareth either on foot or horse back, the star stopped over a house this implies Joseph and Mary were back home in their house in Nazareth, for they didn't live in Bethlehem nor had a house in Bethlehem We know that because there was no room at the Inn when Mary gave birth to Jesus, they stayed in the barn. if they had a house in Bethlehem they would have stayed there to begin with.
Looking at your scenario, you have Joseph and Mary leaving Bethlehem after Mary had just given birth and Jesus was a very young infant.
How many days are you going to allow for Mary to be able to recuperate from childbirth before you have her travel on foot over a long distance? And remember, she would have had to stop every two to three hours in order to feed Jesus.
And you have her arriving in Nazareth on the eighth day after His birth?
Yikes, that's pretty rough treatment of a young wife/mother, as well as the infant.
Another thought I have had concerning whether or not Joseph and Mary stayed in Bethlehem or returned to Nazareth is that when we read Matthew 2:16-18, we see that Herod slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof (vs 16).
Would all the coasts of Bethlehem include Nazareth, which was 90 miles away?