When we visited Egypt some years back our tour group was led into a Coptic Church in Cairo. There in the narthex was a map of the Holy Family's journey during the years they stayed in Egypt to avoid the wrath of King Herod. As you will remember, Joseph was told by an angel to take Mary and the Child and flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:23). Being a Christian from the West, I had never known anything about this ancient tradition or anything about the sites held sacred by the Christians living in that ancient land.
Be Thou There: The Holy Family’s Journey in Egypt - The Sacred Geography of the Coptic Church is a summary of those beliefs and traditions. 
Whatever I may make of this tradition, I am reminded by it that many families are traveling during this busy Christmas/New Year holiday season. Massive snow storms in many places have made this very difficult. The system dumped 14 inches on Oklahoma City and left even Dallas with a light covering for Christmas. Normally our family would be traveling at this time of the year. I can remember other years when we had perilous journeys either going or coming from Colorado.
In all of this I am grateful for reminders that our Lord Jesus whose birth we celebrate during these days sends His holy angels to watch over and keep us in His care. For instance, consider the words of 120 year old Moses as the Israelites prepared to enter the Holy Land a second time. Powerful enemies and fortified cities blocked their way, but Moses, speaking for the Lord Jesus, said,
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).
So what ever storm faces you today or in the new year, find your comfort and strength in the guiding and leading hand of our loving Savior whose coming among us we celebrate and who says now, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
In Him we can look forward to a blessed new year whatever our circumstances.
In all of this I am grateful for reminders that our Lord Jesus whose birth we celebrate during these days sends His holy angels to watch over and keep us in His care. For instance, consider the words of 120 year old Moses as the Israelites prepared to enter the Holy Land a second time. Powerful enemies and fortified cities blocked their way, but Moses, speaking for the Lord Jesus, said,
"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).
So what ever storm faces you today or in the new year, find your comfort and strength in the guiding and leading hand of our loving Savior whose coming among us we celebrate and who says now, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
In Him we can look forward to a blessed new year whatever our circumstances.
