Countdown to ChristmasSample

Joseph and Mary's trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem was more complicated than a holiday road trip to see relatives. The total distance they traveled was only about 80 miles, but since Joseph was walking and Mary (pregnant with Jesus) was riding a donkey, it took them almost a week to make the trip.

To help your kids better understand Joseph and Mary's journey, use an atlas or online program such as Google Maps to plot the way to a destination about 80 miles from your house. If your children were traveling on foot, what obstacles might they face along the way? Where would they sleep? What would they eat and drink?

For more, visit www.thrivingfamily.com/advent