First Sunday after Christmas Matthew 2:13-23

Matthew 2:13–23 sits within Matthew’s infancy narrative (chapters 1–2), which serves as a theological introduction to Jesus’ identity and mission. Unlike Luke’s account, which emphasizes the humble birth setting and Mary’s perspective, Matthew frames early events in terms of fulfillment and divine purpose, repeatedly citing how Jesus’ life fulfills Scripture.

This section—Joseph’s flight to Egypt, Herod’s slaughter of the innocents, and the family’s return to Nazareth—functions as a bridge between Jesus’ birth and his later public ministry. It deepens Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus as the true Israel: just as Israel was called out of Egypt in the Exodus, so the Messiah redeems Israel and, indeed, offers redemption to the whole world.

More broadly, Matthew may have…

1. What practices help you stay attentive to God’s guidance today, and how do you discern whether what you’re sensing is truly from God?

2. How does viewing Jesus as a refugee affect the way we think about and relate to refugees and immigrants in our world today?

3. Where do you see parallels today to Herod’s misuse of power, and how might followers of Jesus respond faithfully to such injustices?

4. How can this passage shape the way we walk with people who are suffering—especially those whose experiences don’t fit into our “clean” or traditional images…