Nazareth was a busy little town. Though it wasn't very big, it was a place a lot of people had to go through if they were on a journey. There were often people passing through. It was a lovely town, green and pleasant. It nestled in a valley, with hills and trees behind. A nice place to live. Joseph was happy there, working on his carpentry business.

The only problem was the Roman soldiers. Ever since the Romans took over their country, the place wasn't their own any more. There was always soldiers about. And then, there was the taxes. Every time Joseph had to go to another town, the Romans made him pay taxes to them. But, like everyone else, he was used to it.

But one day, the soldiers came round with news. "The Emperor of Rome has given an order. He needs to know exactly how many people live in his Empire. So each of you has to go back to the town your family comes from, to be counted." Well, that was a surprise! (SURPRISE!)

Joseph's family came from Bethlehem. He was quite proud of that. He could trace his family line all the way back to the great King David, who'd come from Bethlehem too. Mind you, Joseph wouldn't want to live there. It was hot, dry and dusty in the country around Bethlehem. He was much happier staying in Nazareth. But he'd have to go to Bethlehem, along with the rest of his family. It didn't do to disobey the Emperor's orders.

Lots of people in Nazareth were getting ready for a journey. Of course they weren't all going to Bethlehem. Some of them didn't have so far to go. Some could stay where they were because their family had always lived in Nazareth.

Joseph travelled with his family. Mary went with them, because she and Joseph were engaged to be married. Joseph remembered how shocked he'd been when he found out Mary was having a baby. It hadn't had anything to do with him. It was a complete surprise. (SURPRISE!)

The journey was long. There were no cars or trains in those days. Most of the people went on foot. As they travelled across the flat land south of Nazareth, they left the lush green hills behind, and the road got drier and dustier. . Mary and Joseph soon fell behind. Though Mary was young and strong, the weight of the baby inside her made her tired. But they caught up with the others each time they came to a town. There, they stopped to buy food and to find shelter for the night.

One evening, they were all sitting round enjoying a meal when Joseph's brother said with a sly smile, "Joseph, tell us about your wife. Or is she your wife?" He winked at Joseph, "Tell us about the baby she's having. Is it yours or not?" Everyone laughed, but Joseph didn't. He looked proudly at Mary and began his story:

"The first I knew of it," said Joseph, "was when Mary suddenly went on a journey to see her cousin Elizabeth. She was away for three months. When Mary got back, there was something different about her. It was then that I found out she was expecting this baby. I didn't know what to do, I knew the baby wasn't mine. I mean we hadn't been alone together. I was shocked. I thought my Mary had been seeing another man. I couldn't believe it. It wasn't like Mary to behave like that. What a surprise! (SURPRISE!)

"Well, I didn't want her to get into trouble. I could have made a big scene, after all it seemed like Mary had done wrong. But I love her. I thought about it and decided to just quietly divorce her. Then she could be with the baby's father. Problem solved!

"But then I heard from God! Yes, God appeared to me in a powerful dream. What he told me was a complete surprise (SURPRISE!)

He said, 'Joseph, descendant of David. Don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For it's the Holy Spirit of God that has brought this baby to her. Her baby will be a boy, and you will name him Jesus - God saves us - because he will save his people from their sins.'

"And so when I woke up I changed my mind completely abut Mary. She'd done nothing wrong at all. She'd done what was right. She'd obeyed God. And then I knew I'd be proud to take her as my wife".

A hush fell in the room. They all thought of the words of the prophet they'd known since they were children:

"A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called 'GOD WITH US'."

God's promise was coming true, in their very midst. Who would have thought that the Holy One from God would come from their little town of Nazareth. It was a real surprise! (SURPRISE!)

And they looked forward to the rest of the journey wondering what else God had in store.