The next scene we move into was after the wise men left Mary and Joseph.
In the book of Matthew verse thirteen we find the angel appearing to him.
[After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.
“Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said, “Stay there till I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”]
We all have had ‘dreams’ that were disturbing but this one for Joseph, must have been quite upsetting.
I am not sure how far Egypt was from where they were, but it could not have been an easy task especially in a hurry as the angel said to flee quickly.
It is not like they could get in a rental car and drive there. It was a journey that would take time.
And how did he explain this ‘dream’ to Mary? she had to trust him and go.
The story continues in verse fourteen.
[That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there till Herod’s death.
This was fulfilled what the Lord had spoken to the prophet: “I called my son out of Egypt.”
Herod was furious when he realized the wise men had outwitted him.
He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.
Herod’s brutal actions fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
A cry was heard in Ramah–weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.]
Ok let’s stop here. Let us think for a moment, imagine yourself in their thoughts and feelings.
Mary and Joseph were running for safety, and realizing at some point in time, what was going on in the lands.
Can you even begin to imagine the chaos, the sorrow, the intensity, and for Mary and Joseph the burden weighing down on them for all the baby boys?
As a young mom her heart had to have been moved so intensely, feeling the depth of despair for even perhaps some of her friends?
I would imagine the words spoken to her in Luke two verse thirty five: [and a sword will pierce your very soul.] played back in her mind and heart.
We have all had a deep soul hurt. An intense pain that is not even describable.
This was the beginning for Mary.
Prophecy was fulfilled at the cost of pain and agonizing grief. Also through the jealous words of a man concerned about nothing but himself.
We have to understand the birth of Jesus was not just a warm fuzzy baby in the manger time.
It was filled with many emotions and feelings, for many who played a part in this drama.
Each scene, each person, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, as the spirit of Christmas continues.
It is a story of obedience and sacrifice. A story of a savior who fulfilled prophecy in the city of Bethlehem.