“Now after they had gone away, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph, saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to seek the child to destroy him.” Matthew 2.13
I don’t want this to be a political post about ICE, but I can see two sides of the issue. Should we deport foreigners who enter our country illegally, or should we offer them sanctuary? Some have argued that Jesus and His family, by fleeing to Egypt, were also illegal immigrants and would not have been granted safe passage in the United States today.
Our nation is a nation of immigrants. Being relatively new, we can trace our history back about 250 years to when people from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Central and South America came together to form a new nation—and they have continued to come over the centuries. However, I believe we should be responsible enough, and we now have the technology, to allow people to enter through the established legal process rather than by illegal means. If we have no filter, then anyone—including criminals—can enter the country. But if we follow the process already in place, immigrants can be welcomed safely and securely, ensuring that those who wish to harm our nation or circumvent our laws are kept out.
So, were the Holy Family illegal immigrants when they went to Egypt? Is this a reasonable comparison to modern ICE enforcement? According to Grok AI:
“No, the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph, and Jesus) were not illegal immigrants when they fled to Egypt, according to the biblical account in Matthew 2:13–23. At the time (around 4–6 BC), both Judea (under Herod’s client kingship) and Egypt were part of the Roman Empire. Egypt had been a Roman province since 30 BC. Travel between these regions was internal movement within the empire, similar to crossing modern state lines rather than international borders. There were no modern immigration laws, passports, or visa requirements as we know them today. Roman citizens and subjects could generally move freely within the empire, though local authorities might monitor movement.”
As Christians, this does not excuse us from showing compassion while also obeying the laws. We are called to welcome all people, but to do so legally. The challenge lies in overlaying the intent of the gospel with the laws of the nation—laws that, I believe, rightly favor legal immigrants and those who genuinely want to enter the country properly.
Perhaps this discussion hasn’t interested you as much as it has me, but as a follower of Jesus, it’s important for me to have thought through my response on this issue. Even at Christmas—especially during this season—it’s imperative that we show the love of Christ broadly to all.
May the peace of Christ rest upon you, our nation, and our world, so that God may be glorified and more people be brought into the Kingdom.
“O Lord God, this is such a pressing issue for our nation and our world. I pray today for all who are displaced, for refugees, for the lost and the alone. I pray that You would use Your church to respond to the needs of the hurting. May You work through us to be Your hands and feet. Come now, Holy Spirit, and draw all people to Yourself. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.