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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
ABC Christmas 2
Bruegel, Pieter, ca. 1525-1569. Massacre of the Innocents, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved December 17, 2020]. Original source: Wikimedia Commons.
Published date 12/30/2020
Star Words
Star Words
“Star Words” are words of guidance and/or reflection. In years past, these were distributed at worship on Epiphany of the Sunday following. Each person receiving the Star Word is asked to reflect on that word in the coming year—put the “star” on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror to remind you. The underlying premise is a star led the Magi to find the baby Jesus so we ask God to use these stars to guide us.
That said, here's an adaptation of Star Words to the online forum. There are 412 words in the “Star Word” list. To determine which is yours, type “random number” in your browser. Some browsers will return a random number to you. Others will just point you to a random number generator. You need to indicate a random number between 1 and 412. When you get your random number, PM it to me (or email) and I will return to you the Star Word associated with your random number from the list. There should be none who generate the same number BUT if I get two I will go up or down on the list for your number. I look forward to hearing from you. Good random number generating! Of course, if you wish, I will generate a random number for you.
Introduction
Introduction
One theme from today's gospel is the great tragedy referred to as "Holy Innocents". December 29th is the Feast Day to commemorate this tragedy but we will look at it closely today. The story confirms how vile Herod was to take revenge upon the people and, particularly, children. How often do we cry out in anguish at the behavior of our leaders? The cry of the people does affect the leadership, and we are told that when we cry out, God listens. We need to cry out at all vile behavior whether leaders or brothers and sisters. Comments welcome.
Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
After the wise men 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." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and 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."
[Omitted verses 16-18: When Herod saw th[at 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. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
‘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.’ ]
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "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." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But 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. There 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."
sermons4kids.com: "After Jesus was born, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked where they could find the child who had been born to be the king of the Jews. . . . When Herod heard about this, he told the men that when they found the child, they should come back and tell him where the child was so that he could worship him too. The truth is, Herod didn't really want to worship Jesus, he wanted to kill him. Why? Perhaps his heart was too small (like the Grinch)! . . . Make sure that your heart is big enough to share the love and joy of Christmas with everyone you meet . . ."
A visual and audio journey through the scripture.
Scripture: January 4, 2026—Second Sunday after Christmas—Jeremiah 31:7-14 (image); Psalm 84 or 84:1-8 (image); Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a (image); and Matthew 2:13-15,19-23 (image).
Collect: Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Reflection: What is the difference between baptism with water alone (John’s baptism; see Acts 19:3, Mark 1:8) and baptism with the Holy Spirit (baptism into Jesus; see Acts 19:4–5, Mark 1:8)? Why is it still important to use water in baptism? What does water mean in your daily life? What difference does the Holy Spirit make in baptism? What difference does the Holy Spirit make in your daily life?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 1 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Images enhancing
the scripture
“Flight into Egypt” by Gabriel Chabrat, from 1986-1989
“Massacre of the Innocents” (1204-1210) in Chartres Cathedral
“Massacre of the Innocents” (1425) by de Fabriano Gentile
“Massacre of the Innocents in Bethlehem” (1450) by fra. Angelico
"Shekhina" [feminine side of Jewish divinity] by Leonard Nimoy
Music founded
in the scripture
“In Bethlehem, a new-born boy”, hymn by William Held
“Coventry Carol“, sung by Pentatonix
"Voice in Ramah" by Blue Water Highway
Other voices
about the scripture
"Flight", a reflection by Nancy Rockwell
“A tale of two”, a reflection by David Sellery
"Innocence Lost?", a reflection by Karoline Lewis
“A voice was heard in Ramah“, lyrics only by Carolyn Gillette [note, this is not the same hymn under "Ear Worms"]
Movies representing some part of the scripture
[The concept of killing innocents is hard; yet we have many movies that reflect that concept. Note these suggestions are hard movies to watch and not for children.]
“Death wish” (2018, R), impact of violence on the perpetrator, Review
“Girl with the dragon tattoo" (2009, R), another take on the impact of committing violence, Review
“Inglourious Basterds” (2009, R), gratuitous violence not confirmed by veterans, Review
For families: Study guide and activities (another guide), Kid video; Group activities, snacks
For children: See family guide/activities (other activities—one & two); Bulletin; star wand.
For middlers: See family guide/activities (other activities—one & two; Bulletin; snowflake star.
For youth: We are familiar with “Where’s Waldo?”. This week’s gospel is just that for Herod—raging because he could not find the child that threatened his kingdom. Fortunately, God had warned Joseph so the child escaped to Egypt for several years. So, where are you? Do you have a safe place to go to when you feel “threatened”—by anyone in particular but by life in general? Sometimes, the place doesn’t have to be real, it can be an imaginary journey. How do you protect yourself? There are adults who will offer you a "place of refuge", often among your teachers.
Christmas coloring pages (repeated from last week): annunciation; Bethlehem star; candles; Christmas prayer; Come, Lord Jesus; Go, tell it; God with us; Joy & Peace; Leaped for joy; Magnificat; Manger scene one and two.
Your heart goes out
to insignificant and little things,
to children, to the poor—
these are your kingdom.
For you became yourself defenseless and humble,
resembling a human word,
a piece of bread, a name
that has to die.
We ask you then,
let us resemble you,
let us, imperfect as we are,
become your children,
your own beloved . . .
Huub Oosterhuis
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