Matthew 2:13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
When our kids were still home we read a lot of stories. We read picture books when they were very small and eventually graduated to books several hundred pages at times. Though I don’t remember the book, I remember reading a long book that, at one point, had taken a darker turn. At this point one of the kinds said in a rather somber tone, “I don’t like this story!”
Most of the time when we think of Christmas stories, we think of happy endings, angels, peace on earth, baby Jesus in a manger with animals and parents peacefully looking on. But Matthew tells more. The wise men had come and presented their gifts after speaking with Herod, but were warned in a dream not to report back to Herod. Joseph was also warned, “Time to go!” Herod, acting unwitting as Satan’s puppet, lashed out in murderous fury at the idea that a new king had been born. He took the Scriptures and the wise men very seriously indeed and took action - he ordered the death of all boys two years old and younger in the area of Bethlehem. Jesus knew sorrow. He was acquainted with grief.
Many people have some measure sorrow at Christmas time. Often, I think, they feel somewhat guilty at feeling the way they do. Isn’t Christmas time the one time of year where joy and happiness are everywhere? Isn’t it the supreme time of happy endings? Isn’t something wrong with me if I’m not in the ‘Christmas spirit’? The Hallmark channel would certainly have you believe that. But we don’t live in a Hallmark movie, we live here. And regardless of what social media might lead us to believe, many people have all sorts of things they’re dealing with.
The Bible is such a real-life book. It never hides from difficulties. We see in this passage that joy and sorrow are often mingled together. There is real pain, even sometimes, at Christmas. But there is also Jesus! He knew what that was like. He knows what that is like. Jesus was born into this world to save men and women, boys and girls, and prepare them for the next world. If we share our sorrows with Him, He can bring true comfort.
Jesus knows all about our struggles.
He will guide ’til the day is done.
There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus.
No, not one! No, not one!
Blessings
Pastor Russ
