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December 28, 2025

Justice Comes

Dottie Escobedo-Frank   |   Read Matthew 2:13-23

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Lectionary Week
December 22–28, 2025
Scripture Overview

The scripture passages this week point to the need for justice and show the ways God saves us. Isaiah tells of those who bring the good news of justice and reveal the salvation that comes from God. John and the first Hebrews passage prepare us for the coming Christ child by drawing our attention to the symbols that fill the season. The psalm and the second Hebrews passage remind us of the reasons we celebrate. The Gospel of Matthew reminds us to notice the places where justice has not been found. Justice takes time, it takes work, and it takes determination. Justice only happens when we have God working alongside us showing us the way of righteousness and the road of peace. May justice come for all this season.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Isaiah 52:7-10. Where have you seen good news being shared in the world? When have you brought good news?
• Read Hebrews 2:10-18. What emotions are generated in you as you approach family gatherings? What brings you joy during the Christmas season?
• Read Psalm 148. For what do you praise God? In what ways do you express your praise?
• Read Matthew 2:13-23. What similarities and differences do you see between the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt and the modern-day journey of migrants around the world? How have you welcomed the children of the world in your community?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Matthew 2:13-23

13 When the magi had departed, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod will soon search for the child in order to kill him.” 14 Joseph got up and, during the night, took the child and his mother to Egypt. 15 He stayed there until Herod died. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: I have called my son out of Egypt. 16 When Herod knew the magi had fooled him, he grew very angry. He sent soldiers to kill all the children in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding territory who were two years old and younger, according to the time that he had learned from the magi. 17 This fulfilled the word spoken through Jeremiah the prophet: 18 A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and much grieving. Rachel weeping for her children, and she did not want to be comforted, because they were no more. 19 After King Herod died, an angel from the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up,” the angel said, “and take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel. Those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” 21 Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus ruled over Judea in place of his father Herod, Joseph was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he went to the area of Galilee. 23 He settled in a city called Nazareth so that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled: He will be called a Nazarene.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Throughout the ages we have heard the weeping of Rachel for her children. We have also heard the cries of Lupita, Eun-Kyung, and Dionne. Mothers have been calling out to God for their children for all of history because of the violence inflicted by political powers. Some of these struggles...

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God, soften our hearts for the traveling children of our world, and help us to be the welcoming arms that greet them as they find home. Amen.


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