Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

I bet Mary had to source her own Donkey for the trip to Bethlehem…..

63 replies

LastNightMyPJsSavedMyLife · 27/12/2025 10:14

and was more than a little surprised that cattle and sheep were welcomed at the Nativity but no women.

OP posts:
dudsville · 27/12/2025 10:16

Your post gave me a giggle!

ParallelLimes · 27/12/2025 10:16

Maybe, but if she did, she probably got totally ripped off by a used donkey salesman telling her it only had 50 miles on the clock and had one previous owner who was a little old lady who only took it to the market once a week. Joseph could have likely offset it against his tax as a carpenter. Joseph should have sorted it.

Coconutter24 · 27/12/2025 10:18

Why would Mary want any women at her birth? Or anyone other than her DH? The animals were just there because it was there home, she didn’t go out her way to invite them

Talltreesbythelake · 27/12/2025 10:18

This reminds me that when I was a small child at Sunday School I thought that the donkey was the main character of the story and wouldn't be told otherwise. Donkeys are amazing, whereas babies are ten a penny, obviously.

ParallelLimes · 27/12/2025 10:19

Talltreesbythelake · 27/12/2025 10:18

This reminds me that when I was a small child at Sunday School I thought that the donkey was the main character of the story and wouldn't be told otherwise. Donkeys are amazing, whereas babies are ten a penny, obviously.

The donkey gets the best song TBF. Little Donkey is a banger.

LastNightMyPJsSavedMyLife · 27/12/2025 10:22

@Coconutter24well Joseph wasn’t even at the conception was he? Doubt he was much help at the birth. I didn’t mention women at the birth just at the nativity, you know the bit post delivery!

OP posts:
ResultsMayVary · 27/12/2025 10:30

Clearly Joseph didn't book an Airbnb as he promised he would.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 27/12/2025 10:31

ParallelLimes · 27/12/2025 10:16

Maybe, but if she did, she probably got totally ripped off by a used donkey salesman telling her it only had 50 miles on the clock and had one previous owner who was a little old lady who only took it to the market once a week. Joseph could have likely offset it against his tax as a carpenter. Joseph should have sorted it.

Edited

It was a Lidl donkey.

ParallelLimes · 27/12/2025 10:33

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 27/12/2025 10:31

It was a Lidl donkey.

😂

89redballoons · 27/12/2025 10:37

It wasn't until I was 39 weeks pregnant in December that I realised how bloody uncomfortable it must have been riding along the dusty road from Nazareth to Bethlehem on a donkey. I could barely waddle around Tesco at that stage. You'd think Joseph could just nip over and register them both to be taxed, and Mary could have stayed comfy at home with her mum/sisters/cousins.

UnaOfStormhold · 27/12/2025 10:37

Reminds me of the time I went to Bethlehem and was greeted by a sign saying, "Welcoming you like we welcomed Mary and Joseph." Gave me a moment of worry but luckily my hotel reservation was ok...

LastNightMyPJsSavedMyLife · 27/12/2025 10:38

He also ‘forgot’ about the Tesco delivery slots.

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 27/12/2025 10:40

LastNightMyPJsSavedMyLife · 27/12/2025 10:38

He also ‘forgot’ about the Tesco delivery slots.

And had to run round all the local shepherds for presents because Pandora was shut.

cantbearsed247 · 27/12/2025 10:42

Coconutter24 · 27/12/2025 10:18

Why would Mary want any women at her birth? Or anyone other than her DH? The animals were just there because it was there home, she didn’t go out her way to invite them

Didn't you have any women there when you gave birth?? Did your husband deliver your baby??
Maybe as he was the son of god Jesus just flew out her fanjo no assistance required.

SweeetFannyAdams · 27/12/2025 10:42

Talltreesbythelake · 27/12/2025 10:18

This reminds me that when I was a small child at Sunday School I thought that the donkey was the main character of the story and wouldn't be told otherwise. Donkeys are amazing, whereas babies are ten a penny, obviously.

Yes, and he went on and did very well for himself in the Shrek movies.

Coconutter24 · 27/12/2025 11:12

LastNightMyPJsSavedMyLife · 27/12/2025 10:22

@Coconutter24well Joseph wasn’t even at the conception was he? Doubt he was much help at the birth. I didn’t mention women at the birth just at the nativity, you know the bit post delivery!

Do you know the meaning of the word nativity?

Coconutter24 · 27/12/2025 11:16

cantbearsed247 · 27/12/2025 10:42

Didn't you have any women there when you gave birth?? Did your husband deliver your baby??
Maybe as he was the son of god Jesus just flew out her fanjo no assistance required.

I mean why would she want anyone there as in an audience.

AgnesX · 27/12/2025 11:20

Coconutter24 · 27/12/2025 10:18

Why would Mary want any women at her birth? Or anyone other than her DH? The animals were just there because it was there home, she didn’t go out her way to invite them

Poor Mary had no help and had to do it all herself by the sounds of it. Presumably Joseph's starring role was to grab the baby on exit. Some female support might have been appreciated.

Goldeh · 27/12/2025 11:20

I bet Mary also had to do all the packing and make the flask of tea and sandwiches for the road while Joseph "helped" by cutting the grass and going for a haircut. Then she'd have had to sit on the donkey in the driveway while Joseph suddenly decided to take a 30 minute pre-journey shit.

I bet Mary had to source her own Donkey for the trip to Bethlehem…..
I bet Mary had to source her own Donkey for the trip to Bethlehem…..
Coconutter24 · 27/12/2025 11:40

AgnesX · 27/12/2025 11:20

Poor Mary had no help and had to do it all herself by the sounds of it. Presumably Joseph's starring role was to grab the baby on exit. Some female support might have been appreciated.

This is what is wrong with a lot of women, any excuse to down play a man and his efforts. For me my DH support was more than anyone could have given me, granted it’s not the same for everyone but that doesn’t mean all men are useless. How do you know Joseph didn’t support Mary through the birth and he was enough for her?
You say she had to do it herself by the sounds of it, if you read about it there are 3 females named that are believed to of been there to assist

SweeetFannyAdams · 27/12/2025 11:43

Coconutter24 · 27/12/2025 11:40

This is what is wrong with a lot of women, any excuse to down play a man and his efforts. For me my DH support was more than anyone could have given me, granted it’s not the same for everyone but that doesn’t mean all men are useless. How do you know Joseph didn’t support Mary through the birth and he was enough for her?
You say she had to do it herself by the sounds of it, if you read about it there are 3 females named that are believed to of been there to assist

Edited

Calm down Mary.

The thread's just a bit of light hearted fun.

AgnesX · 27/12/2025 11:53

Coconutter24 · 27/12/2025 11:40

This is what is wrong with a lot of women, any excuse to down play a man and his efforts. For me my DH support was more than anyone could have given me, granted it’s not the same for everyone but that doesn’t mean all men are useless. How do you know Joseph didn’t support Mary through the birth and he was enough for her?
You say she had to do it herself by the sounds of it, if you read about it there are 3 females named that are believed to of been there to assist

Edited

Bully for you pet.

So your DH is great; mine is too but a lot of men aren't.

It wasn't recorded just how useful/useless Joseph was so you can extrapolate as much as you like. Given the culture of that region now, I'm not inclined to think he was holding her hand and telling her how to breathe.

toastandegg · 27/12/2025 11:58

Coconutter24 · 27/12/2025 11:40

This is what is wrong with a lot of women, any excuse to down play a man and his efforts. For me my DH support was more than anyone could have given me, granted it’s not the same for everyone but that doesn’t mean all men are useless. How do you know Joseph didn’t support Mary through the birth and he was enough for her?
You say she had to do it herself by the sounds of it, if you read about it there are 3 females named that are believed to of been there to assist

Edited

who let Joseph join the thread?

PuppyMonkey · 27/12/2025 12:06

I think they were both idiots for making a trip like that in her condition without booking somewhere first - especially at Christmas time.

Rictasmorticia · 27/12/2025 12:06

My view on this is that Joseph was suppose to book the Uber and book the hotel. He then got sidetracked by helping his neighbour with a handiwork hobby.

Mind you, I don’t suppose Mary was surprised by his behaviour, as he did not bother to show up for the conception.