Isn't the Christmas story supposed to be in Bethlehem? But, here in this week's study text, the holy family has had to escape to a far place-back to Egypt from which the Jews had escaped centuries before. What an irony! They go to the very place from which once their ancestors had fled! (Did I hear someone say "God's ways are mysterious"?)
What a splendid reminder that life does not always unfold as we think it will! The events of daily living are not always what we anticipate ("What do you mean that we are leaving tonight for Egypt?"), but the constant is the caring presence of God.
Today I visited a church friend who has recently moved to an assisted living facility. He said, "At first I kept saying that I was only here for a brief time ofrecovery and soon I would be going back home. Now I know that God is here with me and I can stay here, knowing that I am not alone. God is here, too."
Life unfolds in that way doesn't it? We find ourselves in some situation, some relationship, that we have not expected. It may be the death of a loved one. It may be the loss of a job. It may be betrayal by a friend. It may be a painful decline in health. Or, it may even be a moment of un-expected richness and success.
This study text reminds us that God goes with us in the "Egypts" of our ives. The Christmas account is a clear mark of God's willingness to live in the same world as we do. The Incarnation ("The Word became flesh and lived among us"-John 1: 14) is the evidence of God's pres-ence in the journeys of our lives.
I am typing these words almost a year before we study this text. I have little confidence that I can grasp now in January what realities will sur-round us in December 2022; but, the Christmas gift of Christ among us and the truth of God's presence even as the Holy Family moved to Egypt give assurance that we shall not be alone. Emmanuel! God with us!
What Someone Else Has Said:
Donald McKim (Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers, Geneva Press) writes: "Why did Jesus come into the world? ... Jesus came to bring victory. Humans are captive to the power of evil. In his death he became our ransom and in his resurrection Jesus is vic-torious over powers of sin and death. Humanity is rescued, and we are saved."
Prayer:
As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: "Lord Jesus, You live among us even now and travel with us as our days unfold ... "
