On Monday we looked at how Jesus’ coming as Messiah was part of a much larger story that was unfolding and yesterday we leaned into one of the mysterious hints that Matthew gives us in his Gospel that Jesus comes not just as Messiah, but also in some strange and unfathomable way, also as Emmanuel (God with us). Today we explore how his arrival provokes both paranoid anger and extravagant honour in equal measure.
But, before you begin today’s reflection maybe just pause , turn your attention to God and pray the prayer below:
Lord, may we, like the wise men from foreign lands,
observe the rising of your star in the darkness of this season.
We may not have gold, frankincense, or myrrh,
But we offer you today our time, attention, and trust.
Amen
Daily Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12
Find the above scripture in your bible and read slowly – you might want to read it out loud. You can also find it here.
Side Note: On Monday we looked at how Matthew opened his Gospel with Jesus’ genealogy that located his pedigree as Messiah in his ancestry as a true son of Abraham and a true son of David. Now Matthew highlights the fact that all of this took place ‘in the time of king Herod’. It is said that Herod, or Herod the Great as he is known, once burned the Jewish ancestral records because he, as king of the Jews was not of a pure pedigree and was considered ‘half-Jewish’. Perhaps then, part of the reason for the inclusion of the genealogy of Jesus is to contrast him as the true king of the Jews over against Herod? The news that a new king had been born certainly caused Herod great distress and alarm and it is this threat that we will now turn our attention to.
Quote: ‘Tyrants Fear The Manger’
For the great and powerful of this world, there are only two places in which their courage fails them, of which they are afraid deep down in their souls, from which they shy away. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ. No powerful person dares to approach the manger, and this even includes King Herod. For this is where thrones shake, the mighty fall, the prominent perish, because God is with the lowly. Here the rich come to nothing, because God is with the poor and hungry, but the rich and satisfied he sends away empty. Before Mary, the maid, before the manger of Christ, before God in lowliness, the powerful come to naught; they have no right, no hope; they are judged.…
Who among us will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, all honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in his lowliness.
| Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Advent Picture: Rembrandt’s ‘Adoration of the Magi’
Maybe re-read Matthew 2:9-12 and take a moment to reflect on Rembrandt’s depiction of the homage paid by these mysterious Magi or wise men from the East.
Advent Song
Advent Poem: There Lived A Man
Great men have lived
In ages gone; with power they ruled the world.
But time is fleet: their banners now are furled,
and who today is grieved?
Now, other men
Have climbed to fame; how proud and sure their power!
But they- how soon!- will spend their little hour
and be obscured again.
Apart from fame,
They lived a man to whom mere power was dross;
He did God’s will- and died upon the cross-
And earth reveres his name!
(Thomas Curtis Clark)
Closing Blessing
May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.
Amen.
(Book of Occasional Services)
As always, we would love to hear your thoughts and reflections and so please do leave a comment in the section at the bottom of this page. Much love to you all on this Advent journey!
Evening Zoom Reflection at 9pm
We will be meeting tonight on Zoom to reflect on this together. You would be most welcome to join us. We start at 9pm and finish at 9:20pm. Bring a Bible and a candle if you have them.
We are usually on a few moments before for a chat. Click here to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84743926286
Feel free to leave a comment below with any thoughts, prayers or things God might have been speaking to you about.