As I think back upon my childhood Christmases, decades later, some of the things that stick out the most are the hard, disappointing, and unexpected experiences of these Christmas past.  One time on our drive to an extended friends and family Christmas Eve party we got in a car accident on the Disraeli bridge – with a guy dressed as Santa! My sister still bring this up every year. Another year, my great uncle passed away on Christmas day. One year I remember being so sick with the flu that I couldn’t be around anyone to give or receive presents or join in any of the gatherings.  One of the parts of the Christmas story that we often don’t talk about at this time of year is the terror brought upon Jesus’ family by the jealousy and fear of king Herod. It was a time of grief and pain for so many people in Bethlehem. Christmas is a story about God coming to Earth to welcome us home, but it all began with someone leaving home; Jesus fleeing to Egypt.  These very real and honest accounts being included in the original Christmas story reminds me that God can still be at work in my life even when things seem far from perfect.  As we read these stories we see God was at work: directing the wise men,guiding Jesus’ family to Egypt, sending an angel to warn them.  If we look closely I think we will be able to see God at work in all the days and details of our lives this Christmas season as well.