Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
The family of God
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Colossians 3:12, Matthew 2:21
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience … Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.
Sometimes, to my shame, I act as if I am chosen and you are not. I forget my place.
God chose to make us all, and God blesses us every one. We are all one river. God’s love flows through you, and it flows through me.
Joseph’s humility saved his family and preserved the life of Jesus the Christ-Child. Revelation 12 portrays a red dragon anxious to devour the baby who is at the last moment snatched away and placed on a throne.
The terrifying and inspiring imagery might depict quite literally the spiritual backstory. Learning to be parents, Joseph and Mary are busy with the earthy details of bringing up Jesus. But they are learning the art of listening to God, and Joseph does not question his dream. In the dead of night he rouses Mary, and they leave Bethlehem by the south road.
God makes babies, and sometimes soldiers kill them. Herod’s armored troops  with their sharpened swords ride horses fast along the north road. What horror they bring to the village in this bloody moment. Broken-hearted mothers with so many dead sons weep forever for their innocents.
No doubt the holy family later heard the story. Jesus may never have returned to Bethlehem, but he knew that all those families are holy. The children who died because Herod was searching for the baby king are chosen and loved by God. And yes … even the killing soldiers … they too are loved …
Later, on one fine spring day in Jerusalem, only a few miles from Bethlehem, Jesus dies on the cross crying out for his Father to forgive us all.
We do not know what we do.
My father, o my father! Your family is wide and strong and your current is swift. You sweep us out of the rivers of Babylon and into the utmost sea. Without you we all drown. With you, our laughter tops the waves and we frolic and rejoice. You want us all to live forever, children in your kingdom. Today I want to say YES to the joy.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1225
