“Fight, Flight, or Faithfulness” Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 December 28, 2025 Rev. Annie Watson, Holy Family Catholic Church

People might be surprised that the birth of a poor, peasant boy named Jesus is such a threat to King Herod the Great. But Herod is so rattled by the future messiah’s birth that he conspires to have Jesus killed, if he can find him. His fear results in what is called the “Massacre of the Innocents.”

Herod is worried because people believed the messiah would become the king of the Jews. Herod is worried, maybe not so much for himself because he is already an older man, but for his children and grandchildren who are due to be the ones who shall inherit the reins of this kingdom.

In fact, after Herod dies a short time later, the Romans divide up the kingdom of Judea among his three sons and a daughter. At the time, they didn’t understand that the baby Jesus was never going to be a threat to take over the throne of Judea, but he does turn out to be a bigger threat to their power and influence than anyone could anticipate.

Joseph gets wind of King Herod’s intentions when the angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, warning him to take his young family to Egypt to escape the crosshairs of Herod’s murderous plot. Like most people, Joseph must have had an initial reaction to this threat. What should he do to protect his family?

We often hear the phrase “fight or flight” as the two instinctive responses to danger. When something threatens us, we either brace ourselves to confront it or run as fast as we can away from the danger. But in Matthew chapter 2, we see something deeper—something holier—than instinct. We see faithfulness.

Joseph receives a warning in a dream: Herod is seeking to destroy the child. In that moment, Joseph doesn’t fight. He doesn’t freeze or fawn over his pursuer. He doesn’t even choose flight in the way we normally think of it. Instead, he chooses faithful obedience. He takes Mary and Jesus and flees to Egypt—not out of fear, but out of faith or trust.

Sometimes God’s direction or instructions to us looks like retreat. Sometimes the holiest thing we can do is leave, wait, hide, or step back. Not because we’re weak, but because God is working a plan larger than our immediate instincts, and the plan needs time to mature.

Later, when the danger has passed, Joseph is told again in a dream to return. And again, he faithfully obeys. His life becomes a rhythm of listening and responding—moving when God says move, staying when God says stay.

So, this story reminds us that:

• Not every battle is ours to fight. Some dangers are best avoided, not confronted.

• Not every retreat is a cowardly act. Sometimes it is how God protects us.

• Not every delay is defeat. Sometimes we need the extra time to prepare for what happens next. 

The question for us in the face of danger is not “Should I fight or flee?” but rather, How can I be faithful to God’s will? Of our three choices—fight, flight, or faith—faith is always the first choice. Amen.