Our Daily Bread: O Holy NightSample

Away in England

This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my son out of Egypt.” -Matthew 2:15

I didn’t anticipate that singing a carol at church would jolt me with surprise and pain, but that’s what happened my first Christmas in England.

I’d lived in this new country for nearly a year after marrying an Englishman, and I found the adjustment challenging. I hadn’t reckoned on church being so hard, with the different customs unsettling me.

Thus, when from the piano wafted a strange (to me) tune for “Away in a Manger,” I blinked back my tears. I was happy to be married but sad to be away from the familiar. Yet singing this particular carol was fitting during that time of unease.

After all, the first line describes Jesus’ birth: “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.” Not only was He born in humble circumstances, but as a toddler He fled from Herod.

God’s angel warned Joseph in a dream to leave: “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother” (Matthew 2:13). Jesus was kept safe, but He knew what it felt like to be displaced.

Of course, He experienced this throughout His earthly life, away from His Father in heaven. We don’t need to change locations to feel out of place; pangs of longing can come at any moment and anywhere. When they do, we can turn to the Man who suffered and grieved. His birth and His presence bring us hope and strength.

Amy Boucher Pye

When have you been surprised by an ache or a yearning? In those moments, how can you turn to Jesus?

Today’s scripture reading is from Matthew, chapter 2, verses 1-13.

(Read today’s scripture.)

Let’s pray…

God who became Man, You felt the ultimate dislocation when You came to earth as a baby. When I feel lost, I look to You for comfort. Amen.