How easily we read the Christmas story - and stop short at the end of Matthew 2:12.
"In a dream, the Magi were warned not to report back to
Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen,
and returned to their own country.
After they had gone, God’s angel showed up again in Joseph’s
dream and commanded, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt.
Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this child, and wants to
kill him.”
Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother
under cover of darkness. They were out of town and well on their way by
daylight. They lived in Egypt until Herod’s death.
Herod, when he realized that he’d been tricked, flew into a
rage. He commanded the murder of every little boy two years old and under who
lived in Bethlehem and its surrounding hills."
I am no good at art, but have embroidered myself a little Christmas badge. It has provoked some interesting discussions!
I like your little badge. Too often, the fact that the Holy Family fled to another country to escape persecution in their own country is forgotten or overlooked, these days, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a detail easily overlooked
DeleteThought provoking - thank you
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
👍❤️
DeleteAs refugees and strangers, I wonder how they were treated in Egypt. ~ skye
ReplyDeleteI hope they were ok - the Bible suggests they stayed there until the danger from Herod had passed...
DeleteI remember the story well from school and Sunday school. I remember how upset I was at the thought of all the babies and young children being murdered by Herod. I think it needs pointing out to many people that Jesus and his family were refugees and needed sanctuary for their own safety.
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to be polite when people declare all refugees to be scroungers etc. and say we should not allow any of them in 'to take our jobs'. My little badge helps with that discussion!!
DeleteMary was not only a refugee but an unmarried mother - still frowned upon by many - but isn’t that the lesson ? When he returns Christ is not going to pitch up at Fortnum and Masons buying caviar is he ?
ReplyDeleteLove the badge
Mary x
Well said Mary
DeleteI've long been aware that Jesus and the Holy Family were refugees. It is just one of the many ways in which He can relate to and sympathize with the experience of so many of those suffering today.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed,
Delete