Mary, Joseph and Jesus Go to Egypt

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Our story comes from the Bible. It is found in the book, or part, of the Bible called Matthew. Matthew was one of the special helpers of Jesus.

The Bible tells us what happened soon after the wise men left Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.


One night, God sent an angel to talk to Joseph in a dream. "Joseph, get up!" the angel said. "Take Jesus and Mary and go to the faraway country of Egypt. Stay there until you are told to go back. God will tell you when it is safe to come back. King Herod wants to hurt Jesus. Help keep Him safe."


Even though it was the middle of the night, Joseph got up. He and Mary packed what they needed. While it was still nighttime, Joseph, Mary, and little Jesus left for Egypt with their donkey.


Ka-plod, ka-plod. People in Bible times often rode donkeys when they had to travel a long way.


Ka-plod, ka-plod. It was a long and dusty ride from Bethlehem to Egypt.


Finally, they got to Egypt where it was safe. Jesus was happy in Egypt. Mary and Joseph loved Him very much and kept Jesus safe.


After King Herod had died, Joseph had another dream. The angel talked to him, just as God had promised in the first dream. "Joseph, get up!" the angel said. "Take Jesus and Mary back to the land of Israel. King Herod can't hurt Jesus now."


So, Mary and Joseph packed all they needed. Ka-plod, ka-plod. Joseph, Mary, Jesus, and the donkey began the long trip back to Israel. Joseph did what God wanted and moved his family to a town called Nazareth.


Jesus was happy in Nazareth. Mary and Joseph loved Him very much and gave Him everything He needed. Jesus was safe. God gave Mary and Joseph to Jesus to help keep Him safe. God gives us people to help keep us safe too.


Bible Paraphrase: [Jesus] grew and became strong. (And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. Luke 2:40 NIV)

Text Truth: God gives us people to help keep us safe.


Family Devotional

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. — Psalm 118:6-8

God intervened to protect Jesus. He knew the purpose and plan for Jesus' life. There would be a time when God wouldn't keep Jesus safe from His enemies—but that would happen only according to God's plan and in Cod's time.

Sometimes our "safety net" is taken away. It may cause feelings of stress, loneliness, and fear.

Just as God intervened for Jesus, He will intervene for you. He will not allow anything to thwart His plan and purpose for your life.

Ask the Lord to help you feel safe in Him regardless of the circumstances that might be surrounding you.


Activities You Can Do at Home


Bible Phrase Song

Sing the Bible phrase to the tune “10 Little Indians.” To help your child learn the words, teach the 
 actions at the same time.

Jesus grew and became strong.
(Crouch down, stand up, then make muscle arms.)
Jesus grew and became strong.
(Crouch down, stand up, then make muscle arms.)
Jesus grew and became strong.
(Crouch down, stand up, then make muscle arms.)
From Luke 2 verse 40.
(Hold hands open like a book.)


Bible Rhyme

This Bible rhyme is another way to practice the Bible phrase. The Bible phrase is the last line of the rhyme. Teach the words and actions a line at a time. Have your child repeat each line back to you.

Jesus was born a baby,
(Rock arms back and forth.)
The angels said loud and long.
(Cup hands around mouth.)
Then as He got older,
(Raise up on tiptoes.)
Jesus grew and became strong.
(Flex arm muscles.)


Taking Trips and Taking Care

As you drive in the car this week, mention that Jesus took a long trip with His family when He was very young. Talk about ways you take care of your child in the car such as providing a car seat. As you buckle your child in, tell why the car seat is important. When you get into the car, pray with your child and thank God for people to help keep you safe. 


Care Packages

When people have to leave their homes quickly like Joseph, Mary, and Jesus did, they may not be able to take things with them. As a family, put together personal hygiene packages with soap, shampoo, deodorant, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. Put an encouraging note inside each bag. Make bags for kids as well. Distribute the bags to shelters, disaster relief organizations, or foster care organizations.


Talk About Taking Care

As you go throughout your bedtime routine, talk about each thing you do that keeps your child safe such as watching her when she takes a bath, or turning on a night-light. 


Act Out the Bible Story: Take a Trip

Pretend to pack for a trip. Then, take a trip from one end of your house to the other. When it's safe, come back. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus went on a long trip to keep Jesus safe. 


Thank God for Someone Who Keeps You Safe

Talk about the people that keep you safe. Take turns letting each family member thank God for someone who helps keep them safe.

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Some illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.

Some images are made possible by a joint venture of Good News Productions, International and College Press Publishing Co. Artist: Paula Nash Giltner, www.theglobalgospel.org. FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) have been granted permission to make these images freely available for personal, teaching and ministry use under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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