Abundant and Steadfast Love

Christmas 1 – December 28, 2025

Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 148
Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 2:13-23

Our text from Isaiah today is from Third Isaiah. If you remember, Third Isaiah was written after the Israelites returned from captivity in Babylon. Not just after the people returned but after the new temple was built in Jerusalem. The people of God certainly had much to rejoice about and clearly could see that God’s love was abundant and steadfast. Even when the people wavered in their love and worship of God, God remained steadfast. At that point the people certainly did know God’s abundance. But it was not always that way. There were many times when God’s people thought that God had abandoned them. Even in those times God was steadfast.

We read of one of those times in our gospel today. Herod afraid of the new-born (or almost two-year-old) sent his soldiers to kill all the children of that age in hopes of destroying Jesus. For the families of those children it was not a time of reassurance of God’s steadfast love. Yet, it was. Just because it feels like God has abandoned us does not mean that God has. But you all know what I am talking about. There have been times in our life when we have wondered about God’s love and concern for us. Times that we may have felt abandoned by God.

The writer to the Hebrews knows that at times we can feel abandoned and neglected by God. He also knows that God’s love endures forever. He reassures us by quoting the scriptures. Showing that God has always watched over God’s people and will always watch over us. But, much more important, since Jesus shared our flesh he knows our troubles, fears, and worries. And, since he also suffered death, he will comfort us in our time as well. People will be cruel, kings and want-to be tyrants will rage and threaten just like Herod, but God’s love will always prevail. Reassured of God’s salvation bought with the precious blood of Jesus, we are able to be the people of God. People who share the steadfast love of God.