Telling the Beads Bead 4 - Episode 3 From Egypt to Nazareth

B4 - E3 From Egypt to Nazareth

Meanwhile, the little family was making its way towards the coastal trade route to Egypt. Some nights would see them having to sleep out under the stars, huddled together for warmth, but on others, they were able to stay in one of the many inns and lodgings that had sprung up over the years. As soon as they crossed the borders of Egypt and were far away from the jurisdiction of Herod, they looked for somewhere to live in the first village they came to. This was to be their home for the next two years. 

Joseph found temporary work sufficient for their needs while they waited for the threat from Herod to pass. The news they were praying for came to Joseph once again in a dream. An angel assured him that it was now safe for them to return to Israel because Herod had died. They were overjoyed at the news and full of gratitude to God who had protected and guided them to a place where they had found shelter and safety.

They set off on the long and exhausting journey home. When they finally arrived, they went immediately to Anne and Joachim's house. Sadly, the joy of the reunion was tempered by the news that Herod had been succeeded by his son, Archelaus, whom Joseph knew would be as much a threat to their son as his father had been. Long discussions into the night brought them to the sad conclusion that they could no longer continue to live in that area but where to go was the question.

Asleep in their own home that night, it came to Joseph in another dream that travelling on to Galilee in the north of the country would be the safest option. Discussing the idea with Mary in the morning, he recalled that he had relatives living in a small town in Galilee named Nazareth which was thought of as a backwater. They decided that it would be just the place for them to live quietly without drawing attention to themselves.

Promising to send word to Anne and Joachim as soon as they found somewhere to live, they began what was to be the final stage of their escape from danger. When they reached the town, Joseph made enquiries as to the whereabouts of his relations who, when they heard about their situation, were more than happy to help. Over the next few days, Joseph was able to look for a house where they could live as a family and where he could also set up a workshop.

Gradually, Joseph began to establish himself as the carpenter of the town and he, Mary and their young son, Jesus, settled into the community. They visited Anne and Joachim regularly, eventually encouraging and helping them to move to Nazareth themselves. The lamb, of course, was now a fully grown sheep, able to provide the wool to be spun and woven for their clothes. Here, finally, the beloved grandparents were able to live out their days in peace and security, close to the people they loved best in the world.