The stable awaits the coming of Mary and Joseph, awaits the shepherds who will hear the good news from the angel

If we replay the original scene, as is done in the Posada and countless Christmas plays, the journey has probably already begun for a pregnant Mary and a protective Joseph, who are on their way to Bethlehem for the census. The shepherds are minding their sheep, day by day, little knowing of what news is to come. What were Mary and Joseph feeling as they travelled the long dusty and perhaps rocky roads? How was it for Mary as she carried this baby in her?

They would reach a crowded Bethlehem and wonder where to lay their heads and where the baby would be born, the child who would be Saviour, for Mary’s time had come to deliver the child.

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  Luke 2: 2-5 NIV

Read more of the story here