Matthew 2, 13-18

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." 

14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, 

15 and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 

"Out of Egypt I called my son." 

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent forth, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem, and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. 

17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, 

18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; She wouldn't be comforted, because they are no more." 

Dear congregation,

A picture accompanies us through this service today. It is an altarpiece that can now be seen in the Uffizi, the famous museum in Florence.

It was painted by Gentile da Fabriano in 1423 – almost exactly 600 years ago.

It shows a story that Matthew tells: at the beginning of his Gospel. It is the story of the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt.

It is questionable whether this escape really took place.

But this story remains important, irrespective whether it has happened like this or not, because it allows Matthew to tell what is so important to him about Jesus: right at the beginning. And then in the rest of his gospel this picture is unfolded.

I share some observations with you:

1. The land of Israel is under the strong rule of Herod at the time of Jesus' birth. That was historically the case. Matthew states: This powerful ruler is afraid - of a newborn child because it could become more powerful than him. Matthew perceives and illustrates what fear can do to a person. Fear becomes the motivation and legitimation of violence. Now it is not just any man, but a ruler. This is devastating for the population: a ruler full of fear becomes a terrible ruler. So beware of rulers who manipulate with fear and whose fear, whose rejection is their driving force.
2. No matter how hopeless the political situation seems, God works in mysterious ways and opens ways out. Joseph gets advice in a dream. God works. Blessed is the one who learns to recognize God's work. Joseph grew up with the wisdom that God works in mysteries ways. There are many dreams and nightly encounters and hidden conversations with God that bring a twist. Joseph also trusts this reality. For him it is to be taken as seriously as anything he can see and understand. We enlightened Christians sometimes have trouble with this: but Matthew already shows at the beginning of his Gospel: there are different activities of God in the world and therefore there are also different pieties. There is mysticism and practical charity. There are the escape helpers and those who look after refugees and there are the scribes who recognize God's work there and make it visible. Here they belong together.
3. Although at the beginning Joseph is perceived as a background character. As if Joseph only had a supporting role, now his hour has come. Here he gets the main role - he takes his fatherly duties seriously and he is the protector: God talks to him in his dreams
4. To Egypt: What's the point? Egypt of all places, one might ask? Is there no better, safer place? Egypt was, after all, the land of slavery. In any case, that is the perception for many Jews and Christians. As if there was nothing else to say about this country other than that it tolerated slavery. But there is more to be said about every country than what it did wrong. Each country has different stories to tell. Matthew reminds us of this. Jesus finds refuge in Egypt. Moses also found refuge there. Also, in a wonderful, mysterious way. Moses, the man who led Israel out of captivity, was saved in Egypt. He grew up in Pharaoh's house. Matthew places the newborn Savior, Jesus in this tradition: Jesus grows up in secret in Egypt. In the house of slavery, hidden: there grow strong liberators. And it's not just Moses and Jesus who are saved in the land of oppression. There was already a Joseph who was sold to Egypt and later became the savior of his family there. Yes, from the beginning Matthew tells the story in such a way that we question our one-sided judgments about countries and people and realize that God continues to rule and guide in the worst circumstances.
5. Joseph gets up in the middle of the night. A sentence couldn't be more meaningful. Matthew captures his entire gospel with him. His good news: In the middle of the night lies the beginning of a new day. At the beginning there is Joseph's trust in his God. Joseph trusts. Joseph takes God’s signs seriously. We don't know whether he had doubts, but his confidence was greater.  He flees. He realizes what needs to be done. I'm pretty sure he was wondering: is this right? Am I a coward if I run away? Am I a traitor if I leave my country? Do I have the right to walk away? No, no one leaves just like that, without a doubt. Nobody simply leaves their country behind. This is a big decision. This is a difficult step. It's a step that gives you an idea of ​​how dark it was - how deep the night - how threatening the brutal ruler. 
6. And then at the end, an interpretation: So that something can come true. Sometimes we don't know what else needs to come true in our lives, in our world. We will often not understand God's actions: what good can come in the night? But Joseph believes that fulfillment can still come. Good things can happen again. Here the image of Egypt is turned upside down: the liberator comes from the land of the oppressors. Just as God once freed his sons and daughters, he frees them again. 

So much for the observations in this story: Every observation is worth allowing it to have an even more precise, deeper impact and to be understood.But we are also here with the question: What does that mean for us?What does this mean in a world where there are currently 122 million refugees? What does this mean for personal experiences of darkness and fear of violence?What does that mean so soon after Christmas, on the threshold of a new year? 

For me, these observations are invitations to take a fresh look at our country, my life, our world: We have already made our judgment so often: about what lies ahead of us. We judge our country, its rulers and also the rulers of this world. We live in danger of allowing ourselves to be guided by fear.Joseph has fear and trust. In his fear he remains guided by trust in an effective God - that is a healing path through the night - into the light.Herod is afraid and remains guided by fear. This leads to violence and death. This leads to a reign of terror.

Matthew describes what John later says: in the world you are afraid, but I have overcome the world.For me, Christmas is a story that promotes trust. It's a story against fear. She doesn't pretend that we shouldn't be afraid. We do it anyway. But this story invites you to ask again: what moves me? What guides me? Is it my fear or is it my trust in the God who changes and liberates the world.God works - let us work on recognizing God's work even in mystic ways. Let us promote practical charity as well as spiritual understanding.

And let us treat the people who are on the run with great compassion. God travels with them in a special way. It can take years, even generations, for something to change, but we should expect that the person we sell and ignore can later be our helper in times of need.

We should expect that those who are now on the run are people who assume great responsibility and free countries from injustice. 

Let us become more careful with our judgments and judgments and condemnations and let us continue to trust that many things can still come true in the future - so that it pleases God. 

This makes it clear that the Christmas story changes our entire lives: our hearts, our personal lives, our country and our world. This also makes it clear: We can enter the new year with great confidence: because God works in the middle of the night. Get up and let God guide you to where fulfillment awaits.