The magi come from the East seeking the new born king. They follow the natural sign of the star, and they are led into Jerusalem. They lose or turn away from the star and seek instead the ruler, Herod, to help them to find the child. But after meeting with Herod they again see the star and come to Jesus, do him homage, and share their gifts. Warned in a dream not to return to Herod with the location of the new born infant, they instead depart for their home another way. The magi had encountered the new born king and would share it with joy. A sign that the good news of Jesus is for all the nations, all the world.
King Herod, as in the time of Moses with the Pharaoh, has a different reaction: Fear. Herod fears losing his title, power, prestige. “When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi” (Mt 2:16). Often when we are led by fear, we react with violence.
Two very different reactions to the birth of Christ. The joy of the birth of Jesus that can lead to new life and a new beginning moving from our self centered, defensive posture of living or a doubling down of ego and disregard for the dignity of others. This Christmas Season how do we respond to the birth of Christ? Do we accept the invitation to let go of the fear and darkness within us or do we grasp and cling to it?
May we choose with the magi and Joseph to follow the leading of God and so experience the joy of the freedom from self and the freedom for excellence and pursue our vocation to live a life to the full that respects the dignity and value of others. As Pope Francis pointed out on this feast day of the Holy Innocents last year: “Christian joy does not arise on the fringes of reality, by ignoring it or acting as if it did not exist. Christian joy is born from a call – the same call that Saint Joseph received – to embrace and protect human life, especially that of the holy innocents of our own day. Christmas is a time that challenges us to protect life, to help it be born and grow.”
Life is a precious gift at all stages, yet life is fragile and vulnerable. May we be newly inspired to protect human dignity from the moment of conception until natural death. Enjoy your family, tell those you care about that you love them, and listen and respond to the cry of the innocent, the cry of the poor.
Photo: Oceanside, CA
LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO BISHOPS ON THE FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS December 28, 2016:
Link for today’s reading for Thursday, December 28, 2017:
Spiritual Stepping Stones 