Second Sunday after Christmas
John 1:(1-9), 10-18
Matthew 2:1-12
Year C
The lectionary Gospel text for January 5, the Second Sunday after Christmas, is John 1:1-18. However, since the Epiphany of the Lord falls on January 6, many churches will opt to read from the Lectionary’s Epiphany Gospel text, Matthew 2:1-12. Fortunately for all of us, both Gospel readings address a common theme appropriate for either occasion.
John’s Gospel begins by establishing Jesus Christ as the authoritative Word of God since the beginning, the source of life and light (1:1-4). But the light of Christ, the Word of God, is not only a cosmic, transcendent, eternal light, but was also “in the world” (1:10) and “lived among us” (1:14). God sent other authorities like John the Baptist, but his role was to testify to the light. So, through these opening verses, the Gospel establishes Christ’s temporal authority (since the beginning and in the world living among us) and divine authority (with God and was God). These opening lines also highlight a model of worldly authority and action: testifying to the light.
The message of Epiphany – when the Magi followed the light of a star to Jesus – builds on this model of worldly action. We are called to testify to the light and we are called to follow the light. This is the common theme of the Gospel readings for January 5 and 6: testifying to and following the light. But, as the Gospel reading for Epiphany reminds us, Christ’s presence as temporal and divine authority is a threat to the authority of empire, the authority of kings, the authority of unjust rulers and regimes.
In Matthew 2, King Herod hears news of the Word made flesh, the light of the world, “the king of the Jews” (2:2) and “he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him” (2:3). Herod asserts his authority over the chief priests and scribes (also frightened) by calling them together. He then refuses to repeat the title of king given to Jesus by the Magi, instead asking where the Messiah (Christos) was to be born. These are tactics of those seeking to consolidate their power: they assert their authority and refuse to recognize other authorities as equal. Christ’s call to follow the light and testify to the light challenges these kinds of tactics and this kind of power.
Nevertheless, the wise men follow the light to the manger, to Jesus, to the light of the world, and are overcome with joy. They carry their treasure chests to pay homage to Christ and offer him gifts, establishing a new site of worship, away from Herod’s center of authority. In this, they fulfill the call to testify to and follow the light while also submitting to the authority of Jesus Christ over the authority of King Herod. Matthew testifies to the very real danger of challenging a dominant, oppressive power a few verses later in Matthew 2:16.
In John 1, Jesus Christ has authority as the Word of God made flesh and we are called to join messengers testifying to Christ’s light. Matthew’s Magi are examples of those who follow the light that leads to the Light. Today, likewise, both readings call us to testify to Christ – to share our stories – and to follow Christ – to care, feed, shelter, and serve – even, perhaps especially, when doing so de-centers the powers of our day.
May we continue to proclaim good news that leads us away from oppressive regimes. May we continue to seek the light that leads to life and chooses to dwell among us.
Questions for reflection for the second Sunday after Christmas
1. In the Matthew text, King Herod exerts his power in several ways: by refusing to use the title of “king” for Jesus, by commanding priests and scribes, and, eventually, by attempting to eliminate any who might challenge his authority in verse 16. How might the leadership and organizational structure within our churches model healthier patterns of leadership and community?
2. In her book Learning to Walk in the Darkness, Barbara Brown Taylor states:
“I have learned things in the dark that I could never have learned in the light, things that have saved my life over and over again, so that there is really only one logical conclusion. I need darkness as much as I need light.”
While both passages emphasize light imagery, what have you learned about God, yourself, faith, and life through what we may think of as the “dark”?
3. These passages call us to testify to the light, to share our stories of Christ, and to follow the light, to join Christ’s work in feeding, caring, sheltering, and serving. Where have you, or where have you seen your church or others, testifying to the light or following the light?
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View the corresponding Order of Worship for the second Sunday after Christmas.
