Second Wednesday of Advent

My sermon next Sunday (December 15) will include that part of the Nativity stories that we usually skip over, the killing of the Innocents (as tradition has labelled it) by the tyrant King Herod.  Matthew chooses not to skip past it, to make the contrast with this wicked man who claimed dominion by force, versus the Prince of Peace who is the true King of the Jews. In telling the story in his Gospel, Matthew finds cold comfort in the great 31st chapter of Jeremiah: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”  That verse is actually set in the context of God’s love for his people, even in tragedy. Thus we read God’s words in the verse previous, “I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow.” And again, in the verse following, “Thus says the Lord: Keep your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears.”  

Are you weeping today? Turn to your true Sovereign; let him hear your cries and dry your eyes.  Read prayerfully the entire chapter of Jeremiah. Find there a new perspective on our King and Prince, and find God’s perspective on your grief.