First Sunday after Christmas Day

These dreams: God’s Protection in Uncertain Times

In the aftermath of the Covid Pandemic, we can all agree that we are living in uncertain times. Not since the 1930s and the Great Depression have we seen such social and economic upheaval: massive business closings, and mounting debt, rising interest rates, rising food costs, and with even more uncertainty ahead. In the midst of all this, families are having a hard time.

Mental health experts said the financial stress of these times is taking a toll on people and family: mental health: anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and money-rooted marital conflicts are at the forefront of many of our minds.

These are uncertain times, but today’s reading suggests that God provides protection in uncertain times. God demonstrates God’s providential care in uncertain times. The loss of the “innocents” was an overwhelming cruelty, but we see a more hopeful vision in the way that God protected the Messiah child, and we can pray for God to protect each of us in uncertain times.

Matthew 2:13–23 is clear that God would act to protect the Messiah, God’s Son, from the dangers of life in this world. Herod waited to hear from the magi, who had come from the East, following the star that announced the birth of the one born king of the Jews. He had instructed them that when they found the child, they should return and let him know, so that he could worship as well. In a dream, it was revealed to the magi that they should not go back to Herod but should return to their country by another route. When Herod realized that they had tricked him, he was angry, and in his jealous rage he gave orders that all the boys in Bethlehem and vicinity that were two years old and under were to be killed.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructed Joseph that Herod was seeking to kill the child, and that they were to go to Egypt and stay there until receiving further instructions. Egypt, under Roman control, was outside of Herod’s jurisdiction, and the child would be safe there. Herod went forth with his diabolical plan, and the weeping of mothers was heard throughout Bethlehem. The grief was so large that the women refused to be comforted. One commentator suggests that despite the weeping of mothers, the blessing and hope was that the Messiah escaped, and because the Messiah escaped, eventually the people would be comforted. In the Messiah’s escape, everyone, even mothers who lost their sons, would be comforted. The Messiah would reign one day, and there would be no such murder and violence. Despite wanting to kill the child, Herod died. Upon the death of Herod, the angel of the Lord appeared again, and Joseph was instructed to take the child home, because the one who wanted to take the child’s life was dead. Joseph heard that Herod’s son was reigning in place of Herod; therefore, according to another dream, he withdrew to Galilee and lived in a town called Nazareth. Nazareth was a despised place. Old Testament prophets foretold that the Messiah was to be despised (Pss. 22:6–8, 13; 69:8; Isa. 49:7; 53:2–8; Dan. 9:26). The point is that God can protect the Messiah from hurt, harm, and danger, from even the most despicable people in the most despised places.

Readings:

Isaiah 63:7–9 NIV

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Psalm 148 NIV

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever— he issued a decree that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord.

Hebrews 2:10–18 NIV

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Matthew 2:13–23 NIV

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Prayer:

O Holy One, heavenly angels spoke to earthly shepherds and eternity entered time in the child of Bethlehem. Through the telling of the Christmas story, let our temporal lives be caught up in the eternal in that same child, that we might join shepherds and all the heavenly host in praising the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.