Like St. Stephen’s Day, this is a startling somber remembrance in the midst of the festive twelve days of Christmas.
Psalm 124
Jeremiah 31:15-17
Revelation 21:1-7
Matthew 2:13-18
Psalm 124 is an interesting psalm to read on a day when we remember Jesus and his family fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod’s wrath. I like to imagine Joseph and Mary whispering this psalm to each other.
Jeremiah 31: Ramah was 5 miles north of Jerusalem and on the route the Jewish people took as they were sent into exile when their nation was conquered. Rachel was the second wife of Jacob, and she was buried near Bethlehem. These verses became familiar quotations when Jewish children were abused or killed. (Info from ESV Study Bible.) Matthew quoted these verses when he wrote about Herod sending his soldiers to murder the children of Bethlehem.
Revelation 21 shows us our joyful future in heaven.
Matthew 2: This is such a tragic story, and I always wonder why God couldn’t have rescued all the little boys—not just Jesus! I have to go back to Revelation 21 to see where these boys are now, praising God and living in complete joy and perfection.
Treasure: Hope
Our help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
(Revelation 21:3-4)
Horrible things happen on earth, Lord. My mind questions why you do not stop them, and I do not receive an answer. Instead, you give me your name, your help, and the hope of a completely new existence.
Photo Credit: John Gonsalves
Light for a Dark Season 