Joseph and Mary have been in Bethlehem for over a month. Indeed, it could be more when the three magi visit. These three foreigners recognize God in the Christ Child. Oh, the joy that Joseph and Mary experience on this account. Jesus came for everyone. The poor, the rich, the Israelites, and the Gentiles. All are called to be part of God's New Covenant, His Family.

Joseph, as the head of the Holy Family, is entrusted with the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The poor man has become rich, but most importantly rich in grace. Surely, the kings are envious of Joseph. He is called to do so much more than they and has been entrusted with so much more than they. They may have worldly riches, but Joseph has God within his Family. God's two greatest treasures were entrusted to Joseph, not the wise kings.

And after the kings leave, the joy stops when Herod seeks to destroy Jesus, the King of Kings. The angel once again appears to Joseph in a dream telling him, "[r]ise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." [Matthew 2:13] And what of Joseph's response? He immediately wakes his wife and taken his Family to Egypt "by night." He does not wait to fulfill God's request. Never has before and will not in the future.

But this is going to be a difficult journey. He has to travel at least 40 miles just to reach the border of Egypt, but will travel many more to find a place to care for his Family. And now they are the foreigners. Not only will they be more likely to encounter robbers on the journey, but Egypt is not exactly inviting to Israelites. Joseph must find a means to provide for his Family there, too. His anguish grows with each step. How is Mary doing? How about Jesus? Are they too cold? Should we stop for camp? Where can we camp safely from robbers? Will anyone accept my woodwork? Will I have to beg? Would anyone even give me anything?

Joseph keeps walking knowing this is God's will. He would rather die than deviate from God's Will. And Egypt has false gods that they worship. Will he be forced to worship them? He would rather die. And yet, Joseph is able to make the trip to Egypt safely with Mary and Jesus. Joseph is able to provide for his Family there too. They are safer in Egypt than in their homeland. And though the false gods are Satan's tools, none of the Egyptians threaten Joseph's Family. The pagan idols are useless. Satan wishes to destroy Joseph's Family, but is powerless to do so.

"The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God... [T]he dragon ... pursued the woman... But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she could fly to her place in the desert, where, far from the serpent, she was taken care of... The serpent, however, spewed a torrent of water out of his mouth after the woman to sweep her away with the current. But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth and swallowed the flood that the dragon spewed out of its mouth. Then the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring." [Revelations 12:6,13-17]

Joseph, help us to always be obedient to God's requests, especially when what God requests seems insurmountable. Help us to remember that Our Father will always be there to guide and protect us when we are His obedient children. Amen.