HOTSPOT Tonyo Cruz One of the most graphic and most gripping accounts of the first Christmas and Jesus’ early childhood comes from evangelist Matthew. And if I may add, most relevant especially now. The first part of Matthew’s chapter two is already quite familiar: the traditional “Belen” always feature the Three Kings, worshipping the infant Jesus and presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew, however, did not say anything about “three Kings.” They brought three gifts, yes, but Matthew wasn’t specific about how many they were. Biblical scholars say that “magi” could refer to teachers, scientists, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, or sorcerers. Neither did Matthew say that the magi from the East arrived on the night Jesus was born. I don’t know who created the Three Kings legend, but maybe we could guess that it might have been Christians’ attempt to impress non-Christians about the birth of Jesus. The second part of Matthew’s chapter two is relevant to many people since that first Christmas: not only were Mary and Joseph forced by circumstance to have Jesus born in a manger. They had to flee Bethlehem for Egypt, to escape from certain death and persecution. According to Matthew: “Now when had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.’ “He arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’ “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.” Just imagine: At about age 2, Jesus and his parents fled to Egypt, and thereby became refugees. Joseph had to take away Mary and Jesus from the death squads sent out by King Herod. Herod didn’t care about all first-born sons two years old and below. Jesus must be killed, and so he unleashed violence upon each family. Power must be preserved at all cost, even if the source of his insecurity was a defenseless two-year-old child of a housewife and carpenter. This part of the gospel touches a raw nerve among millions of refugees and other persecuted people around the world. It also touches the hearts of many Filipinos, including internal refugees and those targeted by modern-day death squads under the command of new tyrants. We know, based on Biblical accounts, that the holy family managed to outlive King Herod. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus established residence in Nazareth: Thus, the baby born in a manger and the toddler brought to safety in Egypt would be known as Jesus the Nazarene. The visit of the magi presaged Jesus’ reach beyond the Jewish people. Surely the visitors from the East weren’t Jewish. They didn’t wait for Jesus and his apostles to reach them. Their best and brightest minds — magis — went to Jesus themselves. He commanded their adoration and respect, even at age 2. Moreover, it put the likes of the evil king on notice that nothing can last forever. Matthew’s account also highlights the importance of refuge and sanctuary for people threatened with death and persecution. Refugees should be welcomed and protected. Targets of today’s death squads should find comfort in our solidarity and support. May the account of Matthew bring a liberating message to Christmas. True, Jesus’ birth itself is already a most joyous and signal event full of messages of hope to many people. But Jesus’ refugee status at such a young age and his family’s  triumph over the death squads that sought to kill him provide consolation to those who are similarly situated today. Merry Christmas to everyone.