“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:13)
Good morning, my friends. It is the day after Christmas today. The family has all gone back home, our friends our probably back to work today, and life returns to normal – if there is such a thing.
Today I think about Joseph, Mary, and their newborn baby, Jesus. I also think about you. Yesterday, Lord willing, you got to spend time with loved ones. Yesterday there was an exchange of gifts – some large and quite expensive, others smaller and heartfelt, maybe none at all – just the joy of being together again and honoring those who couldn’t join us this year. For some it was a harsh reminder of those who have passed on this year.
What do we do with the remainders of yesterday? How was your life affected by celebrating Christmas this year? Today is typically sort of a let-down, coming back down off all the hype and frenzy of yesterday’s activities. For some it was getting to know the newborns that have joined the family since last year. For others it was a solemn reminder that our loved ones are no longer with us. For still others it was a bittersweet reminder that this was probably the last Christmas we would have with some of our loved ones. Our lives are fluid, aren’t they? Always changing, always morphing into something different, forever marching into the abyss of eternity. Plus we have to make room for the new “stuff” we got.
Joseph and Mary, having paid their taxes and, of course, bringing the Savior into the world, have the difficult task of returning to their home. And yet, in the middle of all of it, God gives them the direction we read in our text today: flee into Egypt and stay in exile until I tell you something different. They came with provisions for a few days only – just enough to pay their taxes, renew their citizenship, and return home. So with their traveling bags only they are now uprooted for an unknown period of time. I can’t even imagine how that would feel. Especially having a newborn to now take care of!
What about you and me? Where do we go from yesterday? What direction has God given you this morning? It may not be as overwhelming as Joseph and Mary’s situation, but it can feel every bit as big to you and me. In the Western world in which most of us live, this is a time for wrapping up the business of this previous year. I am gathering and sorting paperwork for my accountant so she can do my business taxes, I am doing the same for my own personal records. There are reports to file with the State and Federal governments – business reports, statistics, financials, etc. Yuck. And let’s not forget those friends who are busy making their new year resolutions. We can get so busy again resuming our normal lives that we leave the newborn baby abandoned in the manger until next year this time. Subsequently, this is typically a busy time for stores handling all the returns and exchanges. Again, yuck!
My challenge for you today, my friend, is to not forget about the message of the baby Jesus. It will be yet another thirty years for Him to grow into full stature and measure to begin His ministry. Thirty years! How will we spend this time with Him? Sadly, the world will simply stuff Him back into whatever closet or storage place they have until next year. Pastors will begin working now on their new messages for the upcoming new year. We who still work will leave baby Jesus lying wherever we left Him as we return to our daily grind. The greatest present – the life-changing present from God to us – we often leave lying around somewhere gathering dust until we need Him. Please don’t be that person today.
That Baby, Jesus, wants you to love Him, to cherish Him, to have a relationship with Him. Oddly enough, He doesn’t really grow today. He’s grown already. His mission is complete. Remember thirty-three-and-a-half years later when He says from the cross, “It is finished”? His work is done. No, it’s not He Who grows, it is you and me. We grow from this relationship. We grow into the man or woman He created us to be. It is now our time to take this Present into our lives and allow it to change us forever. Unlike the presents we received yesterday, this One is forever. Jesus always fits (unlike some of the clothes you may have gotten), He never goes out of style, He never breaks or wears out. Think about that as you go through your day today – cleaning up after the parties, taking down all the ornaments and decorations, restoring sanity to our lives. Remember Jesus and let Him become a normal part of your daily routine.
Be blessed, my friend.
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