The King is troubled
Matthew 2:1-3
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him.
Common English Bible (2011-06-13). CEB Common English with Apocrypha
King Herod found the birth of the child who was being honored as the Messiah of the Jews to be a troubling thing. And the people were “troubled with him.” I don’t know if I had ever noticed this little phrase before. But it made me think of the current economic crisis, for some reason. Our government is certainly troubled, and during this season of rampant consumerism, we the people are troubled right along with them. Perhaps I’m reaching here, but the fact remains, it’s difficult to go through the Christmas season these days without considering the economic situation of the country, as well as my own economic situation. After all, don’t most of us go a little crazy during this season? We buy so many things, we buy more food…we shop and shop and shop and SHOP. And then the New Year arrives, and the bills arrive with it.
I realize King Herod’s situation was most likely not any sort of economic problem. But I think he did feel a loss of control over his political power base. Or at least, he perceived a potential loss of control. And isn’t that exactly what we fear around the holiday season? Will we get the right thing for a loved one? Will that Christmas bonus come this year? Will we have to return a bunch of stuff immediately after Christmas Day has come and gone?
And the thing is, we should be anticipating the arrival of Christmas with joy. But I will tell you, I rarely feel that Christmas anticipation until somewhere around December 24th. Before that, life is often too busy to really appreciate what’s ahead. Perhaps I’m too close to Herod’s state of mind, and not close enough to the magi’s way of thinking.
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