The answer is: Egypt

Matt 2:14 - They departed immediately under the cover of darkness.

The family's escape to Egypt isn’t just a mere footnote; it’s a fascinating part of the story that connects back to the deep well of Jewish history. Egypt holds significant weight in the biblical narrative. Think about it: just as Joseph and his brothers found refuge in Egypt during a famine, Mary's family flees there to safeguard the newborn Jesus. You could almost call Egypt a place of refuge!

In Matthew 2:14, we see Joseph’s decisive action to protect his family from King Herod’s murderous intent; he packs up and heads for Egypt without a moment's delay. This hurried journey under cover of darkness casts Joseph not just as a dutiful father but also connects him to the Old Testament Joseph, who had dreams and moved his family to safety when the situation was dire. It’s almost poetic that Egypt, a land once marked by captivity, becomes a place of salvation.

Surprisingly, the history of Jews migrating to Egypt spans centuries, resulting in a thriving Jewish community there, especially in cities like Alexandria. In a twist of fate, just as Pharaoh wanted to eliminate potential threats to his power, so too did Herod—showing that attempts to control or eradicate rivals echo throughout history.

In the birth narrative, from the miraculous circumstances to this perilous escape, we see a theme emerging—that of divine protection, guidance, and the way ordinary people can rise to respond to extraordinary circumstances!