"...an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt." Matthew 2:13-14
Small gatherings, who wants that for CHRISTmas? I do.
Mary and Joseph hosted the first small CHRISTmas gathering when Jesus was born. There were animals and a few visitors, 3 we know about. After Jesus' birth, they did not go straight back home, but stayed in Bethlehem awhile. Then God warned them it was not safe to return home and go to Egypt instead.
If Mary and Joseph could endure insolation and distance during such a monumental event, should we not be able to do the same now... for the sake of safety for us and our loved ones? May we be like Mary and Joseph and heed the impending danger. Let's take extra precaution now, so we may enJOY larger celebrations when it's once again safe.
Father, give me a heart of obedience like Mary and Joseph. What would have happened if Joseph had not honored God's warning and fled to Egypt? Suppose instead they immediately returned home to celebrate the birth of their Son with family and friends? Obedience often results in immediate sacrifice of self desires allowing blessings to flow later.
JOY tip today:
It's not the size of the gathering that matters, but the reason. And the birth of Jesus is all the reason necessary to celebrate CHRISTmas.
Please, be safe.
we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal
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