Comment: Advent period commences this coming Sunday in the West. In many ‘Orthodox’ churches it begins 13 days later (Their Christmas is on January 7th). As far as I know, Jesus didn’t have a birth certificate issued, and there is uncertainty as to the exact date when he was born! In America Christmas Celebrations were banned until the late 16 hundreds and then not practiced commonly until the mid 19th century! Until this day there are still some groups, even in Australia, who do not celebrate it! Most seem to celebrate it as a ‘holiday’ and not as a ‘Holy Day’. Are there good reasons to celebrate Christmas? The obvious major reason is that it marks the coming, the Incarnation, of the long-awaited and promised Messiah. It is a very significant day in the history of God’s dealing with the restoration of mankind’s relationship with Himself! And we can reasonably argue that Old Testament celebrations were associated with both worship and feasting, thus justifying special meals! But this year at the beginning of September special ‘Christmas’ foods were in the shops. Public worship is at an all time low in Australia and our governments keep passing anti-Christian laws!
Today’s reading is about the actions of someone who could have sat comfortably on the governments of many lands! Christians are being martyred in many countries. Around the world Christians are being killed as individuals, or sometimes in their hundreds when churches are attacked and their members butchered and their properties destroyed. I quote part of the ‘World Watch list for 2024’ – “4,998 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons. 90% of those killed were in Nigeria, where attacks on Christians have become more common since 2020 as part of a wider rise in political violence against civilians. Open Doors estimates the number of Christians killed for faith-related reasons worldwide was 5,621 in 2023, 5,898 in 2022, and 4,761 in 2021. (in 2024) 14,766 Churches and Christian properties were attacked.” Many this year have been killed in the Congo, but it doesn’t get highlighted in secular news!
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, 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.” …..
16 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. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “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.” – this year I have three great grandchildren in that age range!
Acts 7: 57-58 – (The martyrdom of Stephen) But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.
Prayer: Make me conscious and prayerfully concerned about what is happening to my brothers and sisters around the world, please, my Heavenly Father.
As I read it! 