I and a lot of people are tired of masks. I won’t debate the merits or usefulness of them, but everyone is or, at least at one time, has been wearing them. They’re everywhere. On faces, in cars, on the sidewalk, they are an unfortunate reality today. There are, of course, many types of masks on the faces around town.
People are wearing paper, cloth, expensive, cheap, and…invisible masks. The invisible mask seems to be the most popular, that all can see and many use to protect themselves. A smile that hides a tear, or a sympathetic face hiding fear and rage. Masks are as old as creation. The serpent wore a very convincing one in the garden, and throughout history even Kings wore them.
King Herod, a masterful politician, did all he could to hold onto his throne. After his father’s death, he was appointed to rule over Judaea, and was given the title King of Judaea. An angry and insecure ruler, he betrayed family and subject alike. When the wise men came, Herod summoned them and put on his best mask.
Telling the wise men he wished to worship the Christ, he really saw the child as a threat to his rule. Herod was so enraged when the wise men didn’t tell him where Jesus was, he ordered all the boys under two in Bethlehem killed. An angel told Joseph to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt and escape.
let’s check our masks this season. Be sincere about your feelings. Express them, open up a little. We all may realize how similar our masks are with one another. When we take the off the mask for a while, just like our physical masks, we may also find we breathe a little better. We feel a little less constrained, and maybe enjoy Christmas a little more.
Matthew 2:7-8 – Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
