And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:23 ESV)
The Biblical Christmas story is one long, continuous fulfillment of the Word of God as uttered by Prophets throughout the Old Testament. God makes promises. God remembers His promises. God keeps His promises. He is unchanging, unfading, unfailing, and unrelenting (see Hebrews 13:8). As we prepare to conclude our Advent devotional, we have only scratched the surface of God’s incredible plan of redemption. I pray you will keep reading, meditating, remembering, and responding in faith to the precious Word of God!
As Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt, Herod did what tyrants do: He terrorized the people of Bethlehem. As his soldiers went searching for the new born Messiah, Herod gave them demonic orders to murder every baby boy in the city who were “two years old or under” because of the time the wise men had told him about the arrival of the star that triggered their journey. Let this be a reminder that not everyone will respond with gratitude or thanksgiving to God’s gracious gift of the Savior. Also, remember that even in the face of powerful, tyrannical, demonic resistance, God will accomplish His incredible will.
Herod would go on to experience the universal human condition: death. History is full of examples of kings, tyrants, and even empires that have tried to thwart the divine plans of God. History is replete with examples of dark forces arrayed against Christ and His Church. Over and over again these kings and empires fade into history while the eternal Gospel message continues moving, expanding, and marching towards the second advent of Christ. Sadly, Herod will no doubt experience the righteous judgment of God as the old fool not only rejected God’s Messiah but tried to destroy Him. Don’t follow in Herod’s condemnation.
Although we don’t know exactly how long Joseph, Mary, and Jesus remained in Egypt, we do know that God pointed to both their departure to Egypt (see Hosea 11:1) and their settlement in Nazareth. Every moment that unfolded in the Biblical narrative continues to reveal the power, knowledge, and wisdom of God. This Christmas season, I pray you’ll take time to meditate on the truth of God’s Word and that you’ll see that Christmas is proof of God’s love, His power, His wisdom, and His faithfulness. This reminds us that we don’t just trust God for what He said about the past, but we trust Him in the present, and with the future. His Word will come to pass.
I find it fascinating that in Matthew’s account of the return of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus from Egypt, he points out that Joseph was afraid. Joseph ended up settling his family back into Israel in a location that he might not have previously picked if he wasn’t afraid. I am reminded that God’s plan is not derailed by my fear. Often in my own life I have watched as God has done His greatest works in my weakness, in spite of it (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). As the earthly family of Jesus settled in, Jesus would become intimately familiar with the communities and peoples surrounding the Sea of Galilee and one day He would do the majority of His miracles and ministry in the very same area (see Isaiah 9:1-6).
Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth that nothing and no one can disrupt Your incredible plans. Thank You for being close to us in our weakest moments and showering us with grace, mercy, and love. Jesus, we are thankful for Your incarnation. Thank You for becoming our sympathetic High Priest and the great hope we have in You. Thank You for coming into the world You created to rescue us from sin and death. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
