Harborage

“The harbourage” represents Joseph’s and Mary’s futile search for a place to give birth in Bethlehem.
An angel told Mary and Joseph to flee to Bethlehem in order to give birth to their child. When they arrived in Bethlehem and went looking for a place to give their child birth, they were turned away by many hosts. After several unsuccessful attempts, they finally found a stable that offered them shelter. An ox and a donkey warmed the room and as the Infant Jesus finally came to the world, it could find a place in the crib on soft straw.