(We have been working our way through the Christmas Story in Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1. Mary and Joseph have been visited by angels, endured very challenging circumstances, and finally watched the birth of the God of the Universe in a shelter for animals, before being visited by local shepherds who praised the baby. But then the story took a darker turn.)
Unfortunately for Mary and Joseph, their circumstances still contained darkness and great struggles. As you probably remember, God sent Magi from the east to come to Bethlehem, searching for the newborn “King of the Jews.” The Bible tells us that the earthly King Herod – ruler of the area – was threatened by this potential baby King. He told the Magi to visit the baby and then come back and tell him where the baby king was.
However, God had a different plan. God sent a dream to the Magi to warn them to return home a different way – bypassing Herod altogether. About the same time, another dream came to Joseph and warned him to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt for their safety. If you’ve ever wondered whether God can warn you in a dream, I think you can agree this is a strong answer of YES, he can.
When Herod realized the Magi had betrayed him, he ordered the massacre of all children in and around Bethlehem who were two years or younger. The weeping and wailing of the mothers of those infants must have been excruciating.
Why do we suffer??
At many other times, especially in periods of war, mothers have mourned for lost children.
Maybe this year you or someone you know and love is struggling with what feels like a pierced soul.
Maybe some of you are in mourning or grief for a loved one who has died.
Maybe some of you are overwhelmed by caring for others.
Maybe the craziness of our world these last two years has crushed your business or your dreams or your hope in humanity.
Maybe you aren’t in the mood for Christmas and are really struggling to hear God’s voice in Christmas music.
Hope can seem swallowed up by despair.
What do you do when there seems to be so much unanswered suffering in the world? When we realize the pain and suffering of so many in our world, it can seem overwhelming and hopeless. The grief of the mothers of those innocent boys slain by Herod’s troops would have felt endless. They would have had no idea that they are just players in a larger drama God has cast and directed. It would have been difficult to see the loss of those children as a blip on a timeline of God’s plan and purpose to redeem the people of earth through his son Jesus Christ. Their suffering was not light or momentary. But it was not in vain, either.
“Christians believe that none of this suffering was in vain. The cries of the oppressed do not go forever unanswered. We believe that the children slaughtered by Herod were ushered into the presence of God and will be with him for eternity. The Christian tradition also affirms that Jesus’ suffering served a purpose, that when the state ordered his death, God was at work. Through the slaughter of the truly innocent one, God was emptying death of its power, vanquishing evil and opening the path toward forgiveness and reconciliation.” – Dr. McCaulley, assistant professor at Wheaton College.*
In life there are times when hope seems swallowed by despair. Perhaps a beautiful song like this can help to soothe the battered, weary, and despairing soul.
Lully, lullay, thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
Thou little tiny child,
Bye bye, lully, lullay.
O sisters too, how may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling for whom we sing,
“Bye bye, lully, lullay?”
Herod the king, in his raging,
Chargèd he hath this day
His men of might in his own sight
All young children to slay.
That woe is me, poor child, for thee
And ever mourn and may
For thy parting neither say nor sing,
“Bye bye, lully, lullay.”
Perfect God,
Thank you for your overarching plan to redeem the world and for our roles in your plan. Thank you for the messages you send in dreams to warn us, reassure us, or direct us. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for being our Comforter when we are weary and despairing. Today we pray for those who have experienced great loss or suffering or who are weary in caring for themselves or others. We pray your comfort, encouragement, and hope would be poured out upon them. We pray they remember all you are and have done because you are the God who works wonders and has displayed your power in the world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
“Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
You will increase my honor
and comfort me once more.” (Psalm 71:20-21 NIV)
I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
“Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.” (Psalm 77:1-14 NIV)
*https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/27/opinion/christmas-feast-of-innocents.html