“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Hosea 11:1
We observe the Christmas Advent season with flexible traditions and variations each year. Spiritually we follow the Advent services in our church, and then the Christmas Eve service.
We will get together as family and friends, give and receive gifts, feast together, play some games, maybe even sing some carols. We will enjoy each other’s company.
I always enjoy a musical Christmas. This season we took in a great bluegrass Christmas concert and a choral carol concert. Andy Williams’ version of “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” is like an ear worm right now. Especially the words, “There’ll be parties for hosting, Marshmallows for toasting, And carolling out in the snow. There’ll be scary ghost stories, and tales of the glories, Of Christmases long, long ago.”
When Jesus was an infant, his mother and dad bundled him up and ran for their lives as refugees. They received urgent notice from an angel that their lives were being threatened, so they wasted no time and looked for welcome and safety in Egypt.
Matthew tells this story. After the Magi (wise men) had left from visiting the family, “…an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’” (Matthew 2:13-14)
The family escaped from right under the nose of the King (Herod the Great). Herod flew into a rage. “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” (Matthew 2:16) The politics of rage, anger, hatred, and murder. Sound familiar?
The Jesus whom Matthew presents to us will grow up to call his followers to love their neighbours. The first time is in his Sermon on the Mount. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 42-45) Jesus had just expanded their and our understanding of loving our neighbours.
The second time Jesus commands neighbour love is when he is asked which is the greatest commandment. He answered, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
But the infant Jesus, as Matthew makes clear, starts his life as a refugee having been whisked away to safety from the hate and murderous intent of the king. He lived in Egypt as we might say, undocumented.
A local church I know made a very wise decision a few years ago. They decided to remind themselves every time they gathered together to “Love God and Love Neighbour.” This is done so that they can, to the best of their ability, follow the example set by Jesus.
In just a few days it will be Christmas Day. All our preparations will come together for the events of the day. So, as Frank Sinatra sang, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light.” Celebrate the birth of Jesus that points to love for neighbours and enemies.
“We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!’
