This Christmas we are focusing on how Jesus is the light who shines in the darkness.
He is for us
He is with us
He is amongst us
He is for us
He is with us
He is amongst us
- Pause – As you begin, pause, open your hands and be aware that God is present with you.
- Read – Read the Bible passage slowly.
Matt 2:19-23
The Return to Nazareth
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”
So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth.
This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
The Return to Nazareth
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”
So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth.
This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”
- Reflect – Notice what stands out. Why does it stand out? Read the reflection:
God is with us…
Herod was a complex character. I’ve just finished reading an article which says as much. Whilst Matthew only states the fact, Herod’s last days were full of excruciating pain and suffering. Some might say that he had it coming to him, however, Matthew desists to offer commentary. Instead, he draws our attention to the prophets. Jesus, he argues, arrives in Nazareth in keeping with what had been foretold. Keeping the problem of this ‘prophecy’ being difficult to find in the prophets, Matthew is trying to tell us something. Add up all the texts he attributes to Jesus and you will find that he is painting a picture of Israel’s former Exodus from Egypt and return from Exile. Jesus, he suggests, has undertaken his own exodus and return, and that is precisely what he is going to do for the world. This child, Israel’s representative, not only identifies with you but will lead you out of your own slavery and bring you home to God. This is good news. Really good news.
Herod was a complex character. I’ve just finished reading an article which says as much. Whilst Matthew only states the fact, Herod’s last days were full of excruciating pain and suffering. Some might say that he had it coming to him, however, Matthew desists to offer commentary. Instead, he draws our attention to the prophets. Jesus, he argues, arrives in Nazareth in keeping with what had been foretold. Keeping the problem of this ‘prophecy’ being difficult to find in the prophets, Matthew is trying to tell us something. Add up all the texts he attributes to Jesus and you will find that he is painting a picture of Israel’s former Exodus from Egypt and return from Exile. Jesus, he suggests, has undertaken his own exodus and return, and that is precisely what he is going to do for the world. This child, Israel’s representative, not only identifies with you but will lead you out of your own slavery and bring you home to God. This is good news. Really good news.
- Respond – Respond to God in prayer