The Refugee

A. Hello, my friend, and welcome. Where did you come from?
B. I took my children and ran from the enemy that was trying to kill us. We have travelled many days and only have these few things and the clothes that we are wearing.

A. I see that you don’t have much.
B. We ate up all our food and almost died from lack of water, but we are so happy that now we made it to this safe place.

A. Yes, you will be safe here. You will be protected here, and the enemy will not find you.
B. I am happy to be here. (If language helper is a woman: My husband was killed before we left. If LH is a man: My wife was killed [or stolen] before we left.)

A. I see that you are in great grief as well as in great need.
B. Yes, (sigh) now I have no relatives left, except these small children. It is so sad, especially for them.

A. Let me tell you a story about a very special child who once was a little refugee, just like they are, but He lived and grew up to be a strong and wonderful man who is still greatly loved.
B. I would like to hear it. Perhaps it will bring me some comfort.

A. Long ago, a virgin girl named Mary was engaged to be married to a carpenter named Joseph. One day an angel came to Mary. He told her that she would have a baby boy, even though she was not married yet. The Holy Spirit of God would come upon her and the child she would conceive would be holy. Mary knew that God can do anything, so she knew that this could happen if God willed it. The angel told her to name the child, Jesus.

Joseph, being an upright man, and not wanting to make her a public example, had a mind to put her away privately. But when he was thinking about these things, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife; because that which is in her body is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus; for he will give his people salvation from their sins.” All this happened so that the word of the Lord by the prophet might come true, “See, the virgin will be with child, and will give birth to a son, and they will give him the name Immanuel, that is, God with us.” So Joseph did as the angel of the Lord had said to him, and took her as his wife; but he had no connection with her until she had given birth to a son; and Joseph gave him the name Jesus.

When Mary did give birth to the baby in the town of Bethlehem, some wise men in the East saw a star in the heavens and realized that a king had been born. They got their camels and travelled, following the star. They went to the king of Mary’s country, who was named Herod. They asked him, “Where is the king that has been born? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship him.”

Herod was very angry and jealous. He thought, “King! Why, I am the only king here! Who is trying to take away (usurp) my throne?” But he said to the wise men, “Well, let me see. I will ask.” He got together all his priests and scribes and demanded that they tell him where the Christ (Messiah), the great king that was promised by the prophets, would be born. They looked in their Scriptures and told Herod that it was a town called Bethlehem.

Herod called the wise men back and privately asked them when that star had appeared. Then he said to them, “Go and make sure where the young child is, and when you have seen him, come back and tell me, so that I may come and worship Him also.”

So after hearing the king, they went on their way, and the star went before them, until it stopped right over the place where little Jesus was. The wise men were full of joy, and came into the house and saw Jesus and His mother. They fell down on their faces and worshipped Him, and gave Him presents that they had brought: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

But God made it clear to them in a dream that they should not go back to Herod at all. So they left and went back to their own country by another route. When they were gone, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the young child and His mother and go into Egypt, and do not go from there until I tell you, because Herod will be searching for Jesus to kill Him.” So Joseph got up that very night and took little Jesus and Mary, and they fled into Egypt.

Herod realized that he had been tricked by the wise men, and he got very angry. He commanded his soldiers to go to Bethlehem and all the area around it, and to kill all the baby boys, from two years old and under. And they went out and did that terrible thing. They massacred all of the innocent little boys. In the whole land of Ramah there was a bitter wail, and great sorrow, all the women weeping and crying out for their children. They would not be comforted, for all those little boys were dead. It was a terrible, terrible time, all because of the jealousy of one ruthless king. But Joseph and Mary and Jesus were safe in Egypt until Herod died.

B. This is a comforting story to me, because I see that God took care of that special (holy) family. It is true that when an evil leader kills innocent children, it brings great, great sadness. I see, though, that there is justice. A man who kills children like that will have to face the judgment of God.

A. Yes, that is true. You know, we must trust and hope in God, in times of trouble. The Bible tells us, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; who is then a cause of fear to me? The Lord is the strength of my life; who is a danger to me? When evil-doers, even my haters, came on me to put an end to me, they were broken and put to shame. Even if an army came against me with its tents, my heart would have no fear: if war was made on me, my faith would not be moved. One prayer have I made to the Lord, and this is my heart’s desire; that I may have a place in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, looking on His glory, and getting wisdom in His Temple. For in the time of trouble, He will keep me safe in His tent: in the secret place of His tent He will keep me from men’s eyes; high on a rock he will put me. …Let your hope be in the Lord: take heart and be strong; yes, let your hope be in the Lord.”

B.Yes, I will put my trust and hope in the Lord. Well, did the little refugee child live and grow up, and become great?

A.Yes, He really did. His name is Jesus, and He is the Messiah sent by God. Another time, I will tell you about His wonderful life.

B. I will be happy to hear that.


References: Matthew 1:18 - 25; 2:1 - 23; Acts 12:20 – 23; James 5:10; Ps. 27:1-5, 14