He will be called a Nazarene.

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When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” -Matthew 2:19-23 NLT

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This is the third and fourth time that we read of an angel speaking to Joseph in a dream. Each time the adopted father of Jesus acted on what he dreamed. Small wonder that such a man was entrusted with the human life of the Son of God. Has God ever spoken to you in a dream? I can only remember one time that I had a somewhat heavenly dream. It was so vivid and spoke to me about helping those less fortunate. I wonder how many are still led by God in dreams?

The nativity story has now come full circle. Mary is back to where it all started - back to where the angel first appeared to her. With her husband by her side things seem to be back to "normal". Jesus would grow up in Nazareth surrounded by grandparents and extended family. I so love that aspect of the story. It reminds me of how much we all need to be surrounded by a spiritual community of faith, family and friends that will lovingly support and encourage us.

Call us back to Nazareth Lord. Back to where we first heard you speak to our heart.

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