This year as I reflect on Christmas I think of “Rabbit Trails.” Life’s detours, roadblocks, long ways around, change of plans. This year seems to be a series of Rabbit Trails. Rabbit trails can be confusing, scary, frustrating, and discouraging. But they can also be seasons where, by the grace of God, we can experience the goodness of God and each other. We can navigate our detours in faith, hope, and love, because Christ is always constant and good. He experienced what appeared to be to the human eye rabbit trails, but they were in actuality, part of the fulfillment of God’s plan.
“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.”
14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
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“A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:13-21
We don’t know what the future holds or the rabbit trails that we may face, but because of the birth of Jesus, death, and resurrection, we can know the One who holds us and our future in His hands.
“10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
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“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10-14
May you receive the gift of Christ, and live in the peace of God, as you face your “Rabbit Trails” with the favor of God upon you.
The posted pictures are from Christmas past last year in Nepal. Enjoy.
Merry Christmas!
Eric and Peggy
The Von Raeders in Nepal