Letter to the editor: A Christmas parable

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 12.25.25

The Prefect of Egypt was worried. He had promised to deport all Jewish refugees, but that was proving to be harder, more expensive and more disruptive than he imagined. They provided much of the labor that Egyptians depended on. But many of his supporters expected him to keep his promise. He was afraid they’d abandon him if he didn’t. Egypt was rich, the jewel in Rome’s crown. Judeans were poor. He thought, “I don’t want them here!”

Foreign Minister Marcus Rubius told him about a suspicious family of Jewish asylum seekers. “The man claims he’s a poor carpenter,” Rubius said, “but we caught him smuggling gold, frankincense and myrrh. We can’t decide if he’s a swindler or a thief.”

“He claims they were gifts from three Kings who followed a wandering star to the manger where the infant was born. He says they fled Judea because King Herod is murdering all male babies under two — for treason! That part rings true. Herod murdered his wife, mother-in-law and two of his sons. Anyway, he claims an angel came to him in a dream and said, ‘Arise, take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt.’”

The Prefect said, “Egyptians worry that if I let them stay, we won’t have a country anymore.” Rubius warned, “But they also worry about sending a helpless, innocent baby back for Herod to murder.” The Prefect replied, “He’s here without permission, and I have a duty to enforce the law. O come, let us deport him!”

We’re quick to recognize cruelty in another age, slower to see it in our own time. This was only a parable. Herod never laid hands on Jesus, who found safety in Egypt. As you celebrate the birth of Christ, remember that He, too, sought asylum in a foreign land. In Matthew 25:35 Jesus blessed those who welcome immigrants, for “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

Vince Amoroso

Sunset Beach