Flight into Egypt by Giotto di Bondone, 1310'sSunday, 12/19/10: Fourth Advent – A: Matthew 1:18-25
Each Gospel has its own characteristics. I accept that each Gospel went through a process of being written, most likely beginning with an oral tradition. We have no records of the stages of their being written – it is an educated guess at best. But it seems clear to me, at least, that some very great writers took this material in hand, whether early or late. I believe they were inspired by God. They accent different things, they see things from different angles, although there is a fundamental profound unity in what they write, for instance about the compassionate ministry of Jesus, and about the death and resurrection of Jesus.Matthew is a fascinating Gospel. Only two of the four Gospels tell the story of the first Christmas, and Matthew is one of the two (the other is Luke). The account in Matthew is very different from that in Luke. The story of the coming of the Magi from the East is followed by a terrible story of old King Herod trying to kill the newborn child, and Mary and Joseph and the child fleeing down into Egypt, as refugees.
The juxtaposition in Matthew of Jesus’ joyful nativity in Luke and in Matthew 1.18-25 and Herod’s violent response in Matthew 2 reminds us of the purpose of the Advent of Christ, the incarnation of God in Jesus. Our world is fraught with violence, conflict, and immoral, unethical deeds. All the earth longs for reconciliation with God and longs to re-turn (the Greek word for “conversion,” metanoia, means “to turn”) to its created purposes. In Christ, God has accomplished this reconciliation, re-turn, and reorientation toward all that is life-giving and good. Jesus’ birth is the beginning of his life on earth, a life in which he came head to head with powerful people and powerful institutions. Matthew’s birth narrative highlights this important facet of Jesus’ story.
(Ray Webster)
