Matthew 2:16-18
Slaughtering of the Innocents—A Not So Christmas-y Christmas Story
Stop.
Take a deep breath. Think about a news headline or two. We remember that even though Jesus has come to be with us, the world is still not as God intended.
Listen.
Matthew 2:16-18 says “When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
18 ‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’”
Reflect.
Jesus has come and even though God desires life for all people and Jesus is the king of peace, Herod has other plans. Herod hears of a messiah born and his response is to maintain his power by crushing any opposition. (historical note: Herod kills all first born males age 2 and under because the magi begin their journey from the east when the star rises at Jesus’ birth. From then to their arriving on Herod’s porch could have been approximately 2 years. It’s probably still okay to put the magi up with your nativity set instead of getting them out two years from now)
Jesus has come into a world where evil is present and evil persists. There are Herod’s all around us who use their power to oppress and gain even more power. Jesus is not a quick fix. Instead, Jesus shows us what God’s kingdom looks like and invites us into the work of bringing God’s kingdom into the world.
Howard Thurman, an African-American theologian, education, and civil rights leader wrote this poem titled “The Work of Christmas”:
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.
The work of Christmas continues through you and me.
Pray.
Gracious God, help us to continue the work of Christmas as we live out your kingdom here and now. Amen.
Carry On.
What is one very practical thing you can do to continue the work of Christmas?