Christmas 2 (B) + Refuge + 1.3.21

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M. Campbell-Langdell

All Santos, Oxnard

(† Jeremiah 31: 7–14 † Psalm 84 † Ephesians 1: 3–6; 15–19a † Matthew 2: 13–15, 19–23)

During our alternative “Los Posadas” celebration this year, Karen James and Cindy Morales read books to the children about the stories of Christmas. And one was called Refuge.[1] It was quieter than the other stories, which were full of colors and bigger moments. It was darker and a little scary. From the donkey's point of view, we heard how the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt. How they stayed there. At one point, Karen asked the children if the holy family stayed with relatives or with strangers. And the children very wisely answered that they stayed with strangers. And that touched my heart.

In the miracle of the arrival of the God child into the world, we did not escape from the reality of the world. Many people love their homeland, but out of necessity or a better opportunity, they have to move, whether temporarily or permanently.

The Holy Family thought that their trip was temporary. They fled to Egypt, and we assume they stayed with strangers for a time until Herod died. And then an angel asked them to return to Israel. Joseph had plans to take his family to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, but when they arrived they saw that the leader from Judea was very oppressive. Joseph was right to fear Archelaus. In his first act as leader, even before the emperor had formally put him in power, he killed three thousand people who were worshipping in the temple in Jerusalem because they did not support him.[2]  So this family decided to go to Nazareth in Galilee. And this fulfilled the scriptures. But it is also something very well known to any immigrant family. When you move from your country of origin, sometimes you think it is only for a while, but then something else happens and you start building your new life in that place.

I go back to that moment with the book Refuge when the children realized that the Holy Family stayed with strangers. It makes me think about our country. Who are the ones who come here for help? How can we be the strangers who help them? This can be simple - see who is in need - work in the pantry or give to an organization that helps immigrants and those seeking refuge. If the Holy Family seek out help, how much more can any of us find ourselves in need of help from time to time? This makes me think of how we supported the Iranian family that came a couple of years back, but also about how we try to help many of our community who are undocumented. People who seek a home in an unknown place. I know that many of you know this even more than I do. Although I moved to the US in the 1990s as a child, I had family here. I attended a school my mom had attended in her youth. Everything was new but also a little familiar. For many who come here everything is unknown. It is difficult to find a home in an almost alien terrain.

And we all want to feel like we have a home. As it says so beautifully in Psalm 84: “The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; * by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.  Happy are they who dwell in your house! * they will always be praising you (vs. 2-3).” We all want to feel like we belong.

What does all this have to do with Christmas? Because today is the last Sunday of Christmastide, and we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Well, you have to start with the prophets. Because Jesus was the fulfillment of the promises of all those who spoke before, at least for us Christians. Jeremiah says that, "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock." This is said to a people in exile. A people that does not feel at home. It is a promise that the Lord's people will return home, and will be reunited by the Lord in their home again.

In the child Jesus, we have found our home. But before he grew into the fullness of his light and maturity as a man who healed us, taught us and then for whom he sacrificed himself, he was a baby. An unprotected baby. Like the newborn Samuel, son of Emily and Matt, and Leilani, son of Nicole and Tony, born to our extended congregational family this week. Small, sweet, vulnerable. And his family, with his mother still recovering from his labor pains and his dad a little older for a new dad, was vulnerable. And they found a refuge. And then a new home. With foreigners.

How can we welcome strangers on his behalf?

So that together we experience what it is like to have an eternal home?

That we might each find our own place of refuge beside the altar.

Amen.


[1] Anne Booth, Refuge (Little, Brown, 2016).

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