The Way
Return to Nazareth
A child growing up in an unknown village
Story
Herod was dead. In Egypt, an angel of the Lord appeared once more to Joseph in a dream. Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel. Those who sought the child's life are dead. Joseph got up, took the child and Mary, and set out again on the long road.
But on the way, news reached him. Archelaus, Herod's son, was ruling Judea in his father's place. Joseph was afraid to go there. Warned again in a dream, he turned north to Galilee and settled in a small town called Nazareth. So the words of the prophets came true, that he would be called a Nazarene.
In the little village on the hill, the child grew. Day by day he grew taller and stronger. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God rested on him. Luke tells of those long years in only a few words. The sun rose and set and rose again, and quiet years went by, far from the eyes of the world.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel. Those who wanted the child dead are gone.
The child grew and became strong, full of wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Mt 2:19–23 · Lk 2:39–40
Background
Herod the Great is thought to have died around 4 BC, after which Archelaus ruled Judea and Herod Antipas ruled Galilee. Archelaus ruled so harshly that Rome removed him in AD 6.
Pause and Reflect
On ordinary days when no one notices, do I believe God is with me?