13 When they had gone, 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.” Matthew 2:13

The day after Christmas is perhaps one of the dullest days around. The shopping was completed, presents were opened, the food was eaten, guest and family are now back home, and people have returned to work. The climax of all the hustle and bustle is over, and reality sets in.

It was vaguely similar for Mary and Joseph. There was a small celebration in the manger area. The guests (wise men and shepherds) came and left. Presents were opened, and presumably food was eaten. There they were, Mary and Joseph with a helpless newborn.

Then the angel appeared to Joseph. Now the time lapse between the angel’s appearance and the “guests” leaving could have been weeks or months. Still, though, they were set to return home. But the angel of the Lord told them to go to Egypt. King Herod – King Herod! – wanted their child dead. If Joseph and Mary didn’t know they had a special child in their midst by then, this certainly woke them up to that fact. Why in the world would a king want to see their baby dead?

Joseph didn’t argue with the angel because he knew that such angelic appearances were the exact kind of guidance he needed.

It’s a dangerous world “out there.” The enemy still seeks to destroy the Believer any way he can.

Be careful out there. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8

Just be careful.