A refugee family
After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and said, ‘Herod will be looking for the child in order to kill him. So get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you to leave.’
Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and left during the night for Egypt, where he stayed until Herod died. This was done to make what the Lord had said through the prophet come true, ‘I called my Son out of Egypt.’ (verses 13-15)
Read Matthew 2:13-23
King Herod was furious. What was this talk about a new king of the Jews? He was king, and he would make sure this child being sought by the wise men didn’t stand a chance. So he issued orders for all the boys in and around Bethlehem aged two or younger to be killed. God knew of Herod’s plans, and he warned Joseph to take Mary and the child Jesus to a foreign country, Egypt, where they could stay until it was safe to return home.
Many people can identify with this event. They too have fled to escape persecution, even death. We call them refugees. You yourself may have been a refugee, or you may have had ancestors who came to Australia as refugees fleeing persecution.
Today people continue to come to our country, fleeing war, oppression and corrupt governments. Joseph, Mary and Jesus found safety in a foreign land. We need to think about what we can do to offer safety and help to refugees today to find food, shelter and loving acceptance in our midst.
Dear Jesus, you were a refugee yourself. Please be with all those who have been forced to leave their homes and loved ones. Fill us with your compassion, and help us to be loving and generous to the refugees in our midst. Amen.
By Grace Bock, in “Refreshment for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers (2003)
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