F
How is it possilbe that Mary and Joseph traveled many mile from Isreal on a mule while Mary was pregnant, without any provisions or travel mates. I question the authenticity of this story. I have done historical research, and because of bandits, people traveled in caravans with many provisions to keep them safe at night as they slept. I do not believe Mary and Joseph were not wise enough to have traveled to Bethlehem without a caravan and many provisions to sleep with at night on their long journey. They were well educated and community minded people. When arriving to Bethlehem, I am sure they were prepared enough to know that there would be no room at the inn, and decide to set up camp somplace close to the city walls and sleep in their tents and bed rolls. I find it ignorant and juvenile that anybody would believe a childrens story and keep perpetuating the image that a pregnant Mary and Joseph took off on a long journey on a mule, without even a pack mule for provisions, or a group of others traveling to the same city Bethlehem for thier census to travel as safety in numbers. It is ridiculous that anybody would assume that the image of Joseph and Mary alone on a mule is endearing, cute or inspirational to anybody. They look foolish, not being prepared for a long journey.