Flight To Egypt

Not long afterwards an angel of the Lord said to Joseph in a dream, "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to return, for Herod will look for Jesus and try to kill him."

Joseph got up, took Mary and Baby Jesus, and hurried out of Bethlehem. For many days they traveled until they came to the country of Egypt.

Herod waited a long time for the Wise Men to return from Bethlehem, but they never came. Maybe they had guessed why he had been so eager to see Jesus. Now Herod was angry! He had not found the newborn king!

Herod sent his soldiers to kill every baby in Bethlehem and the country round about. Surely this would get rid of Jesus! 

But Jesus was safe in Egypt. When Herod died, an angel told Joseph, "Arise, take the young child and his mother and go back."

Back to Bethlehem they started. In Judea Joseph learned that Herod's son was now ruler. What if the new king were like his father? 

Because Joseph was afraid, they went on to Nazareth. Here they made their home, and Joseph opened his carpenter's shop.