Sunday After Christmas-David, Joseph, and James

Matthew 2:13-23 recounts the events following the visit of the Magi to the newborn Jesus. After the Magi depart, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod's plot to kill the child. Joseph immediately obeys, and the family flees to Egypt, where they stay until Herod's death. This fulfills the prophecy: "Out of Egypt I called my son." When Herod realizes the Magi have deceived him, he orders the massacre of all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity, an event known as the Massacre of the Innocents. After Herod's death, an angel again appears to Joseph in a dream, telling him it is safe to return to Israel. They settle in a town called Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.

The Sunday after Christmas honors Saint Joseph, Saint David the Prophet-King, and Saint James the Brother of the Lord, directly connecting to the events in Matthew 2:13-23. Saint Joseph's obedience and faithfulness are highlighted in this passage as he responds promptly to divine guidance, protecting Jesus from Herod's wrath. Saint David, as the forefather of Jesus, represents the fulfillment of God's promise that the Messiah would come from his lineage. Saint James, known as the brother of the Lord, connects to Jesus' early life and family. Together, these figures and this passage embody the themes of divine protection, fulfillment of prophecy, and the ongoing danger Jesus faced from the very beginning of his life. It underscores the faith and obedience of Joseph and the incredible lengths to which God goes to protect His Son and fulfill His plan.