St. Paul Hamel Readings for Christmas Two

Holy Gospel: Matthew 2:13-23

13 Now when they had departed, behold an angel of the Lord, appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, and take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

18 "A voice was heard in Ramah,

weeping and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be comforted, because

they are no more."

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he hear that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth,that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 46:1-7

1 So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his Father Isaac. 2 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here am I." 3 Then he said, "I am God, the God of you father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt. for there I will make you into a great nation."

4 I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes.

5 Then Jacob set out from Beersheba. The sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in wagons that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. 6 They also took their livestock and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, 7 his sons, and his sons' sons with him, his daughters, and his sons' daughters. All his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.

Epistle: 1 Peter 4:12-19

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as ameddler. 16 Yet if anyonesuffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgement to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the godpel of God? 18 And

"If the righteous is scarecely saved,

what will become of the ungodly

and the sinner?

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Jesus Is the Perfect Israel

Israel and all his family went and dwelt in Egypt (Genesis 46:1-7). God made a great nation of him there, but that nation would prove unfaithful to the Lord. Therefore, the New Israel came. In fleeing the murderous Herod, our young Lord goes to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23), that the prophecy might be fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called my Son" (Hosea 11:1). Jesus brings to perfection what old Israel could not. He is the faithful Israel, the embodiment of the people of God. He offers His perfect and holy life in place of our own. He submits Himself to persecution and suffering in order to save us. Therefore, we should not think it strange when we who are in Christ experience trials because of the faith (1 Peter 4:12-19). Rather, we rejoice to share in Christ's sufferings, knowing that we will also share in His Glory.