Chapter 18: Straightforward (Joseph)

Chapter 18: Straightforward (Joseph)
1. Read Luke 2:1-7. The next few chapters tell this story.
Sepphoris-and Galilee more generally-really was a hotbed of rebels. Before Herod became king, he did a lot of fighting against Galilean bandits who were
resisting the Romans. So the region would have had a bad name among those who were loyal to the king.
2. Ask your child what they remember about the disciple, Judas. After Herod’s death in 4 BC-not long after the birth of Jesus-Sepphoris was the place where a rebel named Judas launched a major uprising.
I think we have all seen images that show Mary riding a donkey (e.g., Christmas cards frequently display her riding one), but the Bible doesn’t actually mention a donkey. People did use donkeys, but they were mostly pack-animals, carrying heavy loads so that their owners didn’t have to. But Mary was heavily pregnant, so it’s not unlikely that she would have sat on a donkey-as she will in the next chapter.
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