I read a remarkable quote the other day by the Reverend Dr. Boyung Lee, Professor of Practical Theology at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.
The Christmas story does not promise us a world without Herods,
but it does promise us Emannuel-God with us- even when we’re running.
The presence of God does not remove the threat,
but it transforms how we respond to it.
So, this Christmas season (Epiphany too!), let us ask not only
“What do I fear.”
But also,
“Whose fear am I called to notice?”
We are living in a fear-filled time, ours and that of others. Our nation’s citizenry is experiencing a murderous and militarized chapter in our history. Broadcast across the airways of our news outlets are the stories of this authoritarian administration’s campaign to intimidate and subjugate, to attack and kill those who quietly resist or loudly protest its illegal, unconstitutional and immoral policies and behavior. Herod’s voice and abuse are front and center from the White House in D.C. to the neighborhoods of Minneapolis, from the waters of the Caribbean to the rubble of homes in Gaza and on to the killing streets of Tehran. Fear is everywhere and understandably, we run, hopefully noticing one another.
The Sunday after Epiphany, the visit of the wise and wealthy astrologers from the East, are significant. They begin with the Baptism of Jesus; the event recorded in each of the Gospels and marked by the heavens opening and a voice identifying and designating Jesus as the Son of God.
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him, and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved,[a] with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3: 13-17, NRSVUE)
And they end with an account commonly called Transfiguration. Of particular note is the voice from the bright cloud that interrupts the exuberance of Peter, herein set off in dark lettering:
17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I[a] will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved;[b] with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew 17: 1-9; NRSVUE)
There are pieces to that passage that I simply love. First, please note that it is a bright cloud, not a dark cloud, which overshadows them. Second, when the disciples heard what the voice said, they fell to the ground in fear. However, Jesus came, alone and with hands stretched forward. He touched them, admonishing them to get up and get going, unafraid of the adversities and challenges that await them. (Remember? The presence of God does not remove the threat, but it transforms the way we respond to it.) Finally, I’m not sure that there are any other three-word phrases in scripture more important than: LISTEN TO HIM!
January 6, 2026 was the fifth anniversary of the insurrection at the Capitol and the attempt of thousands to overturn violently the results of the 2020 Presidential election, one of the darkest days in United States history. January 7, 2026 was equally horrific when Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent, shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on a snow covered, icy street in her neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The nation is struggling with its grief and self-doubt. Amanda Gorman , our country’s celebrated Youth Poet Laureate, wrote a very moving poem, titled For Renee Nicole Good. Killed by ICE on January 7, 2026. For me, one particular verse was especially meaningful:
Change is only possible, & all the greater,
When the labour & bitter anger of our neighbors
Is moved by the love
& better angels of our nature.
Commenting on the events of that day and their meaning, William J. Barber II. and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove wrote in an article titled: The Lie That Killed Renee Good Is Strangling Democracy: How a casualty of America's culture wars clarifies our task in this moment (Jan. 12, 2026):
This battle line has been manufactured and reinforced by a well-funded network of organizations that believe they can maintain power by dividing the American public. Donald Trump did not create the culture wars, but he has exploited them. An authoritarian regime controls the US government today because religious nationalists who call themselves “conservative Christians” have been persuaded that neighbors who believe “we are here to love each other” are their enemies.
Jonathan Ross did not know as much as we now know about Renee Good. He gathered that she opposed the extreme enforcement action that he believes to be a righteous crusade. He heard her say, “I’m not mad at you.” He saw her smile. But he judged her a mortal enemy because he has lived his whole life in a culture war that pits so-called “conservative Christians” like him against fellow Christians who believe that “we are here to love each other.”
Bad theology kills. As teachers in the church, we have a responsibility to make clear there is no such thing as a “conservative Christian” - nor a “liberal” or “progressive” Christian, for that matter. To commit one’s life to the way of Christ is to accept that all people are created in God’s image, that life is a gift to treasure, that the dividing line between good and evil runs through each of us, and that we are called to love our enemies, not exterminate them. No one who calls themselves “Christian” - us included - is a perfect example of Christ. But we deceive ourselves and mislead others if we pretend that a failure to follow the way of Christ can be justified by adding an adjective in front of “Christian.”
Our greatest task in the moment is somehow, amid the cacophony of competing voices, some telling the truth, others blatantly telling lies, to listen to the one voice that really matters.
‘…and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved;[b] with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him!”
Listen to Him when he says to us, “Come follow me.” (Matthew 4:19)
Listen to Him when he prays that we may all be one. (John 17: 21)
Listen to Him when he preaches from and to the heart about the qualities of character that bring a sense of being blessed and the capacity to live as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. (Matthew 5)
Listen to Him as an effective storyteller, spinning the parables about lost sheep and coins, smart Sowers and prodigal sons and compassionate Samaritans.
Listen to Him when he challenges us to live as sheep, not goats, as the righteous, not unrighteous, knowing that the profound and uncompromised truth of His calling is to feed the hungry, especially the SNAP kids, give drink to the thirsty, shelter to the stranger and protection to the migrant and immigrant, clothing to the needy and naked and to provide healthcare for the sick, showing them that they are not alone or forgotten (Matthew 25), even and especially in Herod’s world.
Listen to Him when he says to us in our grief, like that day at the tomb of Lazarus, that He is the resurrection and the life, and the person who believes in Him shall not die but have eternal life. (John 11)
Listen to Him when he talks of fig trees, mustard seeds and mountains and a rolled back stone, for such is truly the power of faith!
Please permit me to end where I began, with the words of Reverend Dr. Lee:
The Christmas (Christian) story does not promise us a world without Herods,
but it does promise us Emannuel-God with us- even when we’re running.
The presence of God does not remove the threat,
but it transforms how we respond to it.
Our world continues to prop up its Herods and their threatening and treacherous actions, but we have our Risen Christ, the Beloved, our Emmanuel. In such a time as this, let us be unafraid and stand our ground. His presence and guidance empower us. We must listen to Him, believe in Him and follow Him if we hope to redeem the moment and transform the nation and world.