It's A Long, Long Way To Bethlehem

It is the year One B.C., and thus the Rabbis in the little town of Nazareth had not read or heard of the gospels. Of course notafor they had as yet not been written. And thus, when young Mary was accused of being with child, it was assumed by the people that it happened by the means of the old-fashioned method. The assumption of felonious adultery was more than suspected, and evidence of the crime could not be hidden for long. She had to be tried for the grievous sin. The sentence, if guilty, was death by stoning. Joseph was not one to dally, and together with Mary took flight immediately. The posse began the chase with enthusiasm, but that dwindled as the people they met on the way provided them with afood for thought.a