Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23 (NRSV)
DEVOTIONAL:
The glory and brilliance of the night sky is a great comfort. I am always thrilled to walk under a dark clear night sky and observe the grandeur of the universe on display. The familiar constellations and the band of our galaxy – the Milky Way – inspire awe and acknowledgement of our place in the universe. I am at peace – surrounded by the God who created the cosmos as an expression of love.
Today’s text is filled with nighttime experiences for Joseph, Mary and the child, Jesus. It contains fear, intrigue, visions and a longing for home. I believe that the night sky provided a way to find direction for this family seeking to avoid danger. Imagine the brilliance of the stars over the desert with no light pollution at that time! As the family traveled alone, the comfort of the Universe Maker guided their way.
The night sky was a map in the night. Joseph knew the constellations and how to follow them to arrive safely in Egypt and in Galilee. The wise men from the East had followed the unexpected star to find the child king. In an interesting contrast, the holy family followed the constancy of the constellations in the night sky to find protection.
The tenuous nature of Jesus’ early years – that of being forever threatened – reminds me that God understands us when the pressures of life perplex us. Taking a walk under the night sky is a way of reengaging our connection with the God who cares and provides a way.
Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23 (NRSV)
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
16When 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. 17Then 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.”
19When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20“Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 21Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”