“Over the River and Through the Woods” was originally published in 1844 as a poem written by Lydia Maria Child. The poem was published in Child’s book of poems Flowers for Children, Volume 2, and was originally titled “The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day.” In time, Child’s poem was set to music by an unknown composer, and over the years many children have grown up singing the song in school or community holiday programs. The familiar lyrics state, “Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow.” The family in the story is on their way to grandma’s house for a family gathering. Although there is drifting snow, they are willing to travel the distance.
We learn in the Gospels that Joseph and Mary traveled from the town of Nazareth to the town of Bethlehem for the Roman census. Because Joseph belonged to the line of David, Bethlehem would be where he would register for the census. This would not be an easy journey. Most scholars believe that they would have had to travel about 90 miles to the stable where Jesus was born. Mary was nine months pregnant at the time. Thus, a stressful and challenging journey was even more so.
There are times in our lives in which our journey becomes challenging. We can find ourselves traveling through life on cruise control, when all of sudden something happens that causes our journey to become difficult. An unexpected sickness or death, a financial crisis, depression and sadness, family division, and the like can disrupt our travel plans. Life can become difficult in the blink of an eye. It is often during these times that we wonder if we can continue on. We can feel overwhelmed and exhausted.
We can only wonder what the trip was like for Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Their lives had been turned upside down from an unexpected pregnancy. Now, they were on the road realizing that any moment a baby could be born. What did they talk about as they traveled? What was their emotional state? We simply do not have answers for these questions as the Bible does not tell us. Yet, while in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth and Jesus was born. Despite the challenges and difficulties of getting there, God’s plan would be fulfilled.
In our lives, we can trust in God’s plan. While life can leave us wondering at times about the future, we can trust that God will bring us to the place we need to be. Likewise, in God’s time, God can bring forth new life and birth new hope into our lives. We do not journey alone. With each step we make, our God walks with us along the way.
Conversations from the Couch 