Embracing Hope Amidst the Darkness of Christmas

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the often overlooked and darker aspects of the Christmas story as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. This narrative, which includes the massacre of the innocents by Herod, challenges the traditional, serene depictions of Christ's birth. It reminds us that the arrival of Jesus was met with both great joy and violent resistance. This story is not just a historical recount but a profound theological statement about the nature of sin and the hope of salvation.

Herod the Great, a complex figure known for his brilliance and brutality, serves as a stark contrast to the light of Christ. His life, marked by political cunning and ruthless actions, illustrates the grip of sin and the lengths to which humanity will go to maintain power and control. Herod's fear and insecurity led to the tragic slaughter of innocent children, a reminder of the deep darkness that can reside in the human heart.

Yet, amidst this darkness, the story of Jesus' birth offers a message of hope and redemption. Jesus came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. His birth, life, and eventual sacrifice on the cross are the ultimate expressions of God's love and grace. This narrative invites us to reflect on our own lives and the ways we might resist God's kingship, urging us to embrace the light and hope that Christ brings.

The story also highlights the theme of exile and the longing for true homecoming. Just as the Holy Family fled to Egypt, many today experience displacement and suffering. The Christmas story calls us to recognize the plight of refugees and the marginalized, reminding us that God is with the ordinary and the oppressed. It challenges us to be agents of peace and reconciliation in a world marked by violence and division.

In conclusion, the dark side of the Christmas story is a powerful reminder of the reality of sin and the transformative power of God's love. It calls us to seek the light of Christ in the midst of darkness and to live as people of hope and compassion.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Dark Side of Christmas: The story of Herod's massacre of the innocents reveals the deep darkness of human sin and the violent resistance to God's light. It challenges us to confront the sin within us and the world, urging us to seek the light of Christ even in the darkest times. [24:29]

2. Herod's Legacy of Fear: Herod's life, marked by brilliance and brutality, illustrates the destructive power of fear and insecurity. His actions remind us of the grip of sin and the lengths to which we might go to maintain control, highlighting the need for God's transformative grace. [33:38]

3. The Hope of Redemption: Despite the darkness, the Christmas story offers a message of hope and redemption. Jesus came to serve and sacrifice, bringing light and salvation to a world in need. This narrative invites us to embrace God's love and live as people of hope. [50:30]

4. Exile and Homecoming: The theme of exile in the Christmas story resonates with the experiences of many today. It calls us to recognize the plight of refugees and the marginalized, reminding us that God is with the ordinary and the oppressed. [52:44]

5. Embracing God's Kingship: The story challenges us to acknowledge God as our King, which means surrendering our own desires and aligning our lives with His will. It invites us to live under God's authority, seeking His guidance and embracing His truth. [37:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [24:29] - The Dark Side of Christmas
- [25:23] - Herod's Violent Fury
- [27:11] - Herod the Great: A Complex Figure
- [28:15] - Herod's Cultural and Political Identity
- [29:05] - Herod's Political Maneuvering
- [30:31] - Herod's Construction Projects
- [32:20] - Herod's Brutality and Paranoia
- [33:38] - The Grip of Sin
- [34:38] - Jerusalem's Reaction to Jesus' Birth
- [36:05] - Recognizing God as King
- [37:09] - The Consequences of Rejecting God's Kingship
- [38:10] - Prophecy and Fulfillment
- [39:37] - Rachel's Weeping and the Exile Theme
- [44:33] - The Role of Dreams in God's Revelation
- [46:09] - Matthew's Unique Perspective
- [49:26] - Jesus as the New Moses
- [50:30] - The Hope of Resurrection
- [52:44] - A Refugee Christmas
- [54:32] - God with the Ordinary and Oppressed

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 2:13-20

---

Observation Questions:

1. What actions did Joseph take after being warned in a dream about Herod's intentions? How did this fulfill prophecy? [24:29]

2. How did Herod react when he realized he had been outwitted by the Magi, and what were the consequences of his actions? [25:23]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of Herod's political and cultural identity in relation to his actions? [28:15]

4. How does the sermon describe the reaction of Jerusalem to the news of Jesus' birth, and what does this reveal about their expectations? [34:38]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of Herod's massacre of the innocents illustrate the deep darkness of human sin and resistance to God's light? [24:29]

2. In what ways does Herod's life serve as a warning about the destructive power of fear and insecurity? How might this apply to modern contexts? [33:38]

3. How does the theme of exile in the Christmas story resonate with the experiences of refugees and the marginalized today? What message does this convey about God's presence with the oppressed? [52:44]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of recognizing God as King in our lives, and how might this challenge our personal desires and actions? [37:09]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you resisted God's guidance in your life. What were the consequences, and how can you seek the light of Christ in similar situations moving forward? [24:29]

2. Herod's fear led to destructive actions. Identify a fear or insecurity in your life that might be holding you back. How can you address it with God's transformative grace? [33:38]

3. The sermon highlights the plight of refugees and the marginalized. How can you actively support these groups in your community, reflecting God's love and presence with the oppressed? [52:44]

4. Consider the ways you might be resisting God's kingship in your life. What steps can you take to align your actions and decisions with His will? [37:09]

5. The story of Jesus' birth is one of hope and redemption. How can you embody this message in your daily interactions and relationships? [50:30]

6. Reflect on the theme of exile and homecoming. How does this resonate with your personal journey, and what steps can you take to find your true home in God's presence? [52:44]

7. The sermon calls us to be agents of peace and reconciliation. Identify a conflict or division in your life where you can actively work towards peace. What practical steps can you take this week? [52:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Confronting the Darkness Within
The story of Herod's massacre of the innocents reveals the deep darkness of human sin and the violent resistance to God's light. This narrative challenges us to confront the sin within ourselves and the world, urging us to seek the light of Christ even in the darkest times. Herod's actions, driven by fear and insecurity, serve as a stark reminder of the destructive power of sin and the lengths to which humanity will go to maintain control. In the face of such darkness, the Christmas story calls us to embrace the hope and redemption offered by Jesus, who came to serve and sacrifice for a world in need. [24:29]

Matthew 2:16-18 (ESV): "Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 'A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.'"

Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you feel resistance to God's light. How can you invite Christ's transformative presence into this area today?


Day 2: The Destructive Power of Fear
Herod's life, marked by brilliance and brutality, illustrates the destructive power of fear and insecurity. His actions remind us of the grip of sin and the lengths to which we might go to maintain control, highlighting the need for God's transformative grace. Herod's fear of losing power led to the tragic slaughter of innocent children, a stark reminder of the darkness that can reside in the human heart. This narrative invites us to reflect on our own fears and insecurities, urging us to surrender them to God and embrace His peace and guidance. [33:38]

Proverbs 29:25 (ESV): "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."

Reflection: What is one fear or insecurity that is currently influencing your decisions? How can you trust God to guide you through it today?


Day 3: Embracing the Hope of Redemption
Despite the darkness, the Christmas story offers a message of hope and redemption. Jesus came to serve and sacrifice, bringing light and salvation to a world in need. His birth, life, and eventual sacrifice on the cross are the ultimate expressions of God's love and grace. This narrative invites us to embrace God's love and live as people of hope, reflecting His light in our daily lives. As we reflect on the hope of redemption, we are called to be agents of peace and reconciliation in a world marked by violence and division. [50:30]

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

Reflection: How can you actively reflect the hope and redemption of Christ in your interactions with others today?


Day 4: Recognizing the Plight of the Displaced
The theme of exile in the Christmas story resonates with the experiences of many today. Just as the Holy Family fled to Egypt, many experience displacement and suffering. The Christmas story calls us to recognize the plight of refugees and the marginalized, reminding us that God is with the ordinary and the oppressed. This narrative challenges us to be agents of peace and reconciliation, offering support and compassion to those in need. As we reflect on the theme of exile, we are reminded of our call to be a welcoming presence to those who are displaced and marginalized. [52:44]

Hebrews 13:2-3 (ESV): "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body."

Reflection: Who in your community is experiencing displacement or marginalization? How can you extend hospitality and support to them today?


Day 5: Surrendering to God's Kingship
The story challenges us to acknowledge God as our King, which means surrendering our own desires and aligning our lives with His will. Herod's refusal to recognize God's kingship led to tragic consequences, highlighting the importance of living under God's authority. This narrative invites us to seek God's guidance and embrace His truth, allowing His transformative grace to shape our lives. As we reflect on the call to surrender to God's kingship, we are encouraged to live in alignment with His will, seeking His guidance in all aspects of our lives. [37:09]

1 Samuel 12:14-15 (ESV): "If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's authority? What steps can you take today to align this area with His will?

Quotes



We've been studying the Christmas story from the Gospel of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament. First, we saw difficult Christmas from the story of Joseph when he was struggling with Mary's alleged adultery and betrayal with his own goodness and fuming over the whole incident. Joseph receives God's timely help in a dream. Second, we saw different Christmas from the Gospel of Matthew, the story of the Magi. The first worshippers of a newborn king of Israel were not pious Jewish religious people but a pagan Gentile astrologer. Today we will see dark Christmas from the story of Herod the Great. Today's Christmas story is more difficult and different than the other two stories because it is the darkest. It involves a migration of a young family and massacre of innocent infants around Bethlehem. [00:22:24] (62 seconds)


Christmas story of Herod illustrates the greatest light of God's love in the day of judgment. The deepest darkness of a human's sin, it completely and totally contrasts the highest to lowest, the brightest to the darkest. So here we find a warning as well as a wonder of a new hope. These two things will focus together, a warning and wonder. [00:26:22] (32 seconds)


Herod the Great was a brilliant man to reckon with. According to historians, he was good-looking, well-built, and personally led his army in the field of battle in ten different wars. Racially, he was an Arab. His father, Antipas I, was from the Arab kingdom, from south of Judah called Edomia, or Old Testament called Edom. Antipas I was a true politician and diplomat who became a friend and an ally of Julius Caesar. [00:27:27] (32 seconds)


Now, although Herod the Great was brilliant, he was more known for his brutality. He married ten women, and sons for him were often seen as potential political rivals. And two of his favorite sons were strangled by his order. So Caesar Augustus jokingly commented, It would be safer to be picked in Herod's temple than his son in his palace. [00:31:33] (29 seconds)


You know, Matthew 1, verse 21, when Jesus was born, God told Joseph, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sin. If you have a Bible, you need to underline the phrase, he will save his people from their sin. Because Jewish people were expecting a Messiah. To deliver and save them. But the object of salvation is not from them, but from foreign powers. The external, you know, circumstance. But God said, Jesus will save them from their sins. [00:34:10] (41 seconds)


Do we recognize God as our king? If so, that means I don't get to do life, money, marriage, family, sexuality, and politics as I want. But we follow the king's authority and desire. When was the last election? Did you ask yourself a question? Who did Jesus vote? Or did Jesus vote according to whatever? [00:36:54] (30 seconds)


Matthew was not saying Jeremiah predicted this event. That's not what he's saying. He's saying the same statement and the lamentation that was true in Jeremiah's time is true again in Jesus' time. You know, in Matthew 1, we see prophecy comes in many colors and shades. Some are direct, like Micah's prophecy of a birthplace of a Messiah to be Bethlehem. That is absolutely clear. [00:38:10] (30 seconds)


Although Rachel already had a beautiful first son, named Joseph, her jealousy and desire to dominate her sister, the first wife of Jacob, demanded one more, and finally she got the one more sprayer, the second sprayer. son but in the child you know her body could not keep up with the birth labor so when benjamin her second son was born her sin the curse of a sin took her life and in a way took her children from her so can you imagine the grief of a dying mother with a newborn in her arms and rachel was buried on the way from bethel to bethlehem probably near rama and many years later the jewish exiles to babylon jewish people when they're going to exile to babylon pass by her tomb and jeremiah says you can hear rachel's weeping for children and now that herod has a slaughter all the baby boys in bethlehem is a vicinity and matthew is saying now you can hear her crying all over again here matthew was reminding us that though the people are living in their land while they when they rejected god as their king they are still in exile still in egypt still in babylon still ruled by another king in foreigners in the land of her promise so matthew is reminding us of a terrible sadness and curse that sin has brought upon our world and he's reminding us the horror about what happens to our world and our children when we reject god's kingship over us so first matthew tells us about this warning this a violent fury of a king who completely didn't understand how much actually god loved him you know tragedy of our heritage great as when you stand before god guess what god would say i sent my son for you he's not against you he came to give you eternal life [00:39:47] (149 seconds)


Second part that we're going to look at today it's not just you know we see a greater joy of god this joy of god it's actually greater in christmas story of a herakle great we see god's comfort which is a deeper than any deep sin here we see the grace of a dauntless you know savior who is ever patient with us to give us his resilient joy you know in matthew's christmas story chapter one and two we find the dreams are very instrumental god used a dream as a major motive is a revelation and direction there are no dreams that are very instrumental but there are five dreams in the Matthew chapter verse one and two. The first Joseph's first dream tells him not to abandon forsaken Mary and then during came to Magi to warn them about the harrow's plan so they went to different way home. And then second dream of Joseph third dream angel tells him take the Mary and Jesus to Egypt. And then third angel tells you know Joseph now the refuge in strange land the harrow is dead and the family can be safely returned to Israel. [00:42:16] (80 seconds)


So while all dreams came in different times all of them carried the same message that is do not fear anything. Do not fear God was telling Joseph do not fear Mary's pregnancy not even the king not even the you know exile or migration in Egypt. And God's first love gives us a vision that are often as unbelievable as something that comes in dreams. [00:44:38] (35 seconds)


The inclusio of a book of Matthew, gospel of Matthew is a slaughter of innocent. Matthew chapter 2, we see the killing of innocent life. And Matthew 27, what do we see? Slaughter of the most innocent person of all, Jesus Christ on the cross. So today's story, Matthew is saying, this is prophetic step, it's a prophecy toward the coming fulfillment of Jesus Christ. [00:49:50] (41 seconds)


Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us not be discouraged, or afraid of life, or future, for our God is with us. Our God is Emmanuel. With God Emmanuel, let us welcome him. Let us be with him. Let us journey with him. Let us follow our King into his glory and future. Amen. Let's pray. Gracious Heavenly Father, you are our true Emmanuel. [00:54:57] (38 seconds)


Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 22, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?