Matthew 2:1018
In the early days of 2010, Mike and I entered Egypt and
discovered a wondrous world, where Epiphany is a major celebration for the
country, not just the Christians. We were there before the Arab Spring in 2011
that changed politics so much in the Arab world.
January 7 in Egypt is Coptic Christmas. In
part, it’s because Coptic (so Egyptian) and Orthodox churches follow the Julian
calendar, and everything churchy is on a different day. And in part it’s
because most Egyptians are proud of the welcome offered to the holy family so
long ago. And … the tradition of the holy family’s stay in Egypt brings in
tourists, and tourists’ dollars.
The story told in Matthew is loaded with information, even
if it is legend and not 100% true. We learn that Matthew intends for us to
recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of ancient promises, the continuation of
God’s loving covenantal relationship with God’s people.
We learn that if Jesus is to be like Moses, and come out
of Africa, there has to be a way to get him to Egypt.
We learn that Jesus welcomes all from his very birth, including
foreigners. We also learn that foreigners honor Jesus in return.
We learn that God often speaks to us in dreams, and we are
wise to pay attention to these messages. Joseph and the Magi all dreamed of
danger and sought safety.
We learn that God provides, since the gifts of the Magi
would allow the family to travel in some comfort and safety from Bethlehem to
Cairo.
We learn that Herod, like many ancient and contemporary
rulers, will stop at nothing to make sure they can get in power and stay in
power.
… These gifts of gold and expensive fragrances
were political gifts. They were intended to glorify a new-born ruler, to
recognize his power in the world, his place in the world order.
While the Magi saw wonderful possibilities for the future, Herod
saw this baby as a present threat. There is no documentation in public records
of Herod’s order that hundreds of young children be slaughtered. But it is within
his character to have done so, to protect himself and the status quo.
This striving for power at all costs is something we are
seeing done today, as Putin orders his army to invade Ukraine and slaughter
civilians, including women and children. As Chi Jinping and Kim Jong Un
threaten invasions of their own. As gangs have taken over Haiti. As millions of
refugees flee violence in many parts of Africa and South and Central America. As
Israelis and Palestinians have yet to figure out how to share space and power.
… While the world wrestles with the reality of violence and
the attempts to gain control and power and wealth, there are at the same time
efforts to find peace, or at least cooperation. The leaders of nations still
offer each other gifts. Sometimes it’s a gold figurine, or a piece of jewelry.
A couple weeks ago,
it was a flag with the signatures of Ukrainian soldiers brought straight from
the battlefield by Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky to the US Congress.
In exchange, he received a boxed, brand new American flag, and the potential
for more American support for the defense of his country.
… Luke and Matthew both tell the story of Jesus born into a
time when violence and uncertainty were facts of life. Indeed, the whole Bible
tells stories of God’s presence and activity with God’s people during times of
violence and uncertainty. It sure seems like things haven’t changed much!
Let’s recall what we can know for sure from the story in
Matthew:
·
Even when life is uncertain or dangerous, God is
present with us
·
God wants to communicate with us as clearly as
possible
·
God welcomes all
·
Sometimes God speaks in dreams or through others
·
God provides
·
It is good to give gifts, and those gifts can
come in handy
Some of us at University Lutheran meet weekly on Zoom for
conversation and prayer. A recent prayer was that we are able to find the joy
of the season in the midst of so much distress and chaos.
I remind you that Mary and Joseph, and the homeowners and the
shepherds and the angels and the midwives (who must have been there!) and the
magi all rejoiced at this birth. They held him and cuddled him and felt God’s
love shining like stars through him.
Let’s breathe in God’s presence and shine
like stars, too, so everyone can tell there is more to life than chaos. There
is love and joy and so much light we can see it shining everywhere, if we look
for it. Amen
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