Octave of Christmas

Mary had much to ponder. Shepherds told of the glad tidings of angels who said they would find the newborn Savior lying in a manger. During the ritual presentation of a firstborn son in the Temple, a holy man named Simeon recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah, a Light for all people. Still, Mary and Joseph had parental worries. Magi had just departed when an angel sent the Holy family to Egypt before Herod could have Jesus slain. At age 12, Jesus decided to stay behind in Jerusalem after the Passover feast. For three days, Mary and Joseph frantically searched for Him. John the Baptist later proclaimed Jesus as the One to come, the Son of God. Do we look for the Lord, even in unlikely places, and flee from the dangers of sin to follow the way prepared for us?