22 December

Rise. Remain. Rely. Repeat.

“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 until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”’ Matthew 2:13

We all arrive at Christmas with differing levels of exhaustion and expectation. Perhaps you’re equal parts filled with wonder and worry. God broke into darkness with blazing light! But the horizon of a new year glows with rising uncertainty.

It’s possible Joseph felt something similar. The magi have come and gone – warned to avoid Herod – and Joseph receives his second angelic visitation. He reacts with swift obedience – fleeing with his family – and patience – waiting with them in Egypt until God tells him otherwise. Both responses – rising and remaining – show unwavering reliance on God. Joseph just does the next right thing, probably unaware two prophecies are fulfilled by his actions (Matthew 2:14,18), and surely unable to grasp the horrific, cosmic consequences that might have ensued had he chosen not to obey.

As you ready your heart for Christmas, know that there’s a time to ‘rise and flee’, and a time to ‘remain until I tell you.’ You might not understand why God’s asking you to rise or remain. You simply have to rely. Is God calling you to act – to think fast and respond immediately for the saving of souls? Or is God calling you to abide – to go back to the last thing he said, and rest in that? Take courage as you trust Him this Christmas, and may you know his peace.

Dalene Reyburn