Preached at Creekside United Church of Christ (Minneapolis, Minnesota). Texts: Matthew 2:1-12 and Isaiah 60:1-6.

Rev. Sandy Johnson—a retired UCC pastor here in the Twin Cities—describes a chilling benediction she once heard in seminary chapel. The text for the worship service came right after today’s passage, where in the next verses Herod orders a massacre of children ages 2 and younger. Herod is an incredibly jealous king, constantly fearful that someone will try to take over his throne. He is so paranoid that when the astrologers don’t return to say where they have found this child “king of the Jews”, Herod orders the death of all children in the age range of Jesus. Sandy Johnson says that in place of the customary “go in peace” to end the service, the preacher that day in chapel offered a different final blessing. “Do not go in peace. Herod is still on the throne and the children are not safe.”

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