Christmas Devotional: 22nd December 2020
This passage has two parts to it, separated by both the chapter titles and the parts of the story it addresses. Verses 16-18 tell us about the tragedy that comes as a result of king Herod’s anger at being tricked, and fear of being usurped by the baby Jesus. It leads him to attack hundreds of innocent families, and Mary, Joseph and Jesus only just escape. Unlike other passages that address this part of the Christmas story, Matthew references part of the Old Testament, some prophesied scripture, that really emphasises the tragedy a community goes through. Verses 19-23 however jump to years later, after Mary, Joseph and Jesus have escaped Herod and fled to Egypt. Here we see their journey back from exile, and how through communication from God they are guided to Nazareth.
Jesus was an exile from the very beginning of his life. Just as we see his birth in the stable, a meagre, humble beginning, he begins his first few years of life living outside his home country, displaced. At the beginning of first year I, like many students, experienced a lot of imposter syndrome. I wasn’t sure where I would fit in or if I was really good enough to be here.
God is our Father and cares for us so much, but sometimes this can be hard to remember when we are feeling lonely, left out, or displaced for something as simple as not being able to hug friends anymore. But God himself, as Jesus, human, like us, experienced not fitting in, not quite belonging, (later in life as well as at this time).
How wonderful it is that we have a God who has really understood how we can feel. And what’s more this is followed by God leading Mary and Joseph back to a place of safety, to a home. Think of some of the things you’ve found hard this term, this year. What are you hoping for over this Christmas? Maybe it’s seeing family, having a rest from work? Ask God to grant you his hope and safety, his feeling of belonging as one of his children.
Let’s also look at how Matthew references Old Testament scripture in this passage as well, demonstrating how Jesus and his family ended up right where they were supposed to be, in Nazareth, as had been prophesied. But Mary and Joseph wouldn’t have necessarily known this was the endgame. They had to trust God to tell them where it was safe to go, one town, one journey, one step at a time.
How often, as we long to be guided by God, are we hoping for a neatly laid out plan of how our career and personal life should progress? How could we be encouraged by Mary and Joseph’s faith at taking God’s guidance one step at a time?
Why not take some time today to reflect on something specific you would like God to guide you in?