Today, on Sunday after the Nativity of Christ, we hear the Gospel story about the fleeing of Joseph and the Blessed Virgin with the infant Jesus to Egypt (Mt. 1:18-25).

And in this story, in addition to Joseph, Mary and Jesus, it is said about the first enemy of Christ — King Herod. It was from his anger that the Holy Family fled to Egypt, it was he who became responsible for the death of thousands of innocent babies. He also killed many devout servants and even his own wife and sons. He thought they would take his power from him.

In the liturgical texts of the Church, Herod is called an insane man. And what indicated the main reason for Herod’s madness – was that for him «there was no God.» In other words, the whole life of his took place only in the earthly perspective, or in still other words – he chose a sad fate of becoming a god for himself…

But here we also see another man, Joseph.

The gospel says very little about him. When he was already betrothed to Mary, it was discovered that She had in the womb the one of the Holy Spirit (which he however got to know later). At that moment, Joseph her husband, being righteous and not wanting to make Her public, wanted to secretly let Her go.

Behind these two or three phrases of the evangelist about Joseph is the personal drama (personal conflict, a great inward temptation).

He is called righteous for neglecting the law. He is called righteous rather for being merciful and humble; that was especially meet and right at that moment.

When in a dream an angel appears to him strengthening him, Joseph immediately rebuilds his whole way of life. From that moment on, his life is entirely devoted to Mary and the Baby, Who is not his son, but the Son of God. And in order to preserve Mary’s virginity – for we believe that Mary remained a Virgin in Her marriage, and we profess Her ever-virginity — in order to preserve the life of the Baby, in order to share with Him his earthly genealogy – for His Son to be accepted by the Jews — Joseph assumes the role of the head of the family.

They flee from Herod’s wrath to Egypt, and Joseph guards and protects Mary and the Baby. Later, after learning about the death of the wicked king, they return to Judea and settle within the borders of Bethlehem.

Unlike Herod, Joseph is ready to renounce everything and sacrifice both his honor and his life for the Child and for the Christ.

Whole nations sometimes face such a choice. The Jewish people stood before the face of Christ, and had such a choice. They could accept Him as their Savior, or could reject Him.

And unfortunately they rejected Him, though not all of them, because we also commemorate St. Apostle Jacob (James), who made a different choice and was the first bishop martyr, the first church leader (church hierarch) martyr.

And, as if in contrast to king Herod, we also venerate today the first righteous King — David the king, about whom the Scriptures say that there was no other king in Israel, so pleasing to God as King David.

When King Saul (the first king of Israel), learned that, according to God’s definition, David would be king, in his place, he hated David. Saul drove and persecuted David throughout Israel, trying to destroy him by all means.

But several times it happened that David could easily kill Saul, because Saul found himself at an arm’s length from him, not knowing about it, sleeping. And never did David take this chance to harm the anointed by God.

Think about our people, how and what we did… with on-going consequences…

So, we have again approached the manger today, and we contemplate the Baby…

Let us remember what St. Simeon said about the child: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”

So, let us clean and strengthen our hearts, dear brothers and sisters, by all means that we are given in the Church, and by looking at the lives of the saints that we commemorate today. Through whose prayers may the Lord bless and strengthen us!

Merry Christmas! Christ is born!

Amen.