The Journey Continues: The rest of the Christmas story

The past two weeks I have used this column space for the Christmas script about the birth of Christ our Savior and the arrival of the Magi. Today, we will continue with the holy family’s journey — with the rest of the story.

“When they (the Magi) had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up’! he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt…Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ He (Joseph) got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod…” Matthew 2:13- 14.

It is thought they stayed in Egypt for two years. It was a long journey. “After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel.’” Matthew 2:19-20. They were going home. Travel was no easy task. It was approximately 300 miles from Egypt to Nazareth. From the Holy Family’s acts of faith, we can learn some applicable lessons for our journey:

Any journey can involve detours. Can you imagine their surprise when, instead of returning to Nazareth, Mary and Joseph found themselves in Egypt with a little child? They were refugees from their own homeland, but they kept faith with God.

Journeys can require us to learn patience, obedience and trust. Joseph waited two years in Egypt for directions from the angel on when to go home.

A journey may have roadblocks. We face one today because of the pandemic — many are blocked due to illness, job loss, school closure and restricted activities. Herod was used by Satan and kept the holy family from a straight trip home to Nazareth.

Journeys can require change. God led Joseph to go a different way from what he had planned when they came to “the City of David.” In our lives, our original plans can change and lead us a way not anticipated.

As we all look ahead to New Year’s 2021, let us be willing to journey with faith on the path God sets before us; let us trust Him, like the Holy Family did, even if it means a change of direction.