When I Move, You Move

by | Dec 24, 2025 | Our Latest Messages | 0 comments

Matthew 2 (NRSV)

1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 
2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah,
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, 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 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

Here are some questions for discussion:

1. The Magi come expecting a palace; God redirects them to a village. How does God’s movement challenge our assumptions about where salvation or safety should logically come from? What “palaces” in our lives do we need to stop expecting God to appear in?

2. Jesus cannot speak or defend himself; God moves through others to protect him. How might this shape how we think of advocacy, especially for those who cannot speak for themselves? Where are we invited to be Magi — protectors, not saviors — for others who are vulnerable?

3. Much like Herod wishing to “honor” the baby, we find a lot of people using words to cover their true intent. How can we use our language with consideration to show love for those around us?

If you’d like to dig a little deeper, consider the following:

1. The Magi leave the familiarity of home to travel to a foreign land. Herod feels threatened. Joseph and Mary will soon flee. Nothing is stable in the moment we read about. Why might a move of God feel like threat before it feels like salvation? How does God’s movement disturb parts of you that cling to comfort, habit, or certainty? When was spiritual discomfort actually the first sign of God calling you toward something new?

2. A number of years passed before Jesus revealed the full true nature of the gift He brought. Jesus waited for it to be His time to move, how might this patience help us to find comfort and strength when now does not feel like the right time? How can we ensure that those around us are not waiting on us?

3. The prophecy in verse 5 becomes a guide that helps locate Jesus and ultimately leads to the events that save him from Herod’s violence. How might Scripture act as a form of protection or guidance during times of fear or instability? When has a passage of Scripture (or wisdom from someone) acted like a “road map” for you?

4. Jesus came to a quiet manger on a chilly night, there were choirs of angels but he was simply greeted by shepherds. Our movement/growth can be measured in terms of shepherds  in a dirty barn or by hosts of angels singing. How can you recognize that moment of growth when it happens?

For further contemplation, consider this prompt:

Movement is often a form of growth. How has your faith moved or grown over the years? Over the past year and a half (or however long you have been sharing your Sunday afternoons with us) how has your faith grown?

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