Daily Devotion for January 25, 2006

Refugees

 

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you."  Matthew 2:13

 

During Holiday times, especially Christmas and News Years, we have a family tradition where we usually schedule a marathon family video time. We get out the pillows and blankets, we snack on popcorn and Christmas goodies and we watch hour after hour of Christmas specials, old and new!

 

One of my favorite movies is “The Sound of Music." I am not sure why other than it is one of the first movies my parents took me to see in a movie theatre.  I suppose this movie is appropriate to Epiphany. After all, the story line is about how the Von Trapp family escaped from the Nazis during Austria's occupation.

 

I know people who, like the Von Trapps, have escaped from unjust and oppressive regimes. Some of these refugees carried infants and children with them and I have heard about what they left behind: friends, families, material goods. I have heard about their fears. What and who would they find in the country into which they fled? I have heard how it was to travel to a place where they could not speak the language, or understand the culture and traditions. How it was to find no place where they could worship in their own language, or eat the food to which they were accustomed. How it was to keep on adjusting day after day, year after year, in the knowledge they may never return home. When I read the account in Matthew about the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt, the stories of these other flights influence my understanding of the experience of Mary and Joseph.

 

I wonder what the Holy Family packed. Did Joseph have time to gather some of his carpentry tools? Did Mary fear the sound of footsteps behind her? Did they try to disguise themselves? Did they weep as they left neighbors to face the fate the angel foretold? Did they take time to warn friends and family? How wonderful they had the magi's gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, an amazing resource. Or did they have to leave even these gifts behind in their haste to follow the angel's directions?

 

Mary and Joseph, the Von Trapps, my refugee friends, escaped from totalitarian, oppressive, and dangerous regimes. There are other kinds of dangers, other kinds of oppression. From what oppression or danger does God's angel warn you and me to escape? Is it a habit? A life-style? A circumstance? A group of friends? An unhealthy relationship? A place? A job? A fear? An attitude?

 

From whatever we seek to escape, no matter what we must leave behind, God will be with us as we travel. Jesus promised.

 

Prayer
Gracious and merciful God, as you call us out of danger and oppression, and into "Egypt" we give you thanks that as we move onward, we carry with us your son's promise: "I will be with you always." Grant us confidence in your presence and faith in your love as you lead us forth in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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