Loading...This wonderful story of the sages/wise men/magi/”wise guys” who study the starts in their courses and who understand that there is mystery and unknown to discover and explore, suddenly see a star – bright light – where there had not been one before.
With only this information (and the belief that this bright light heralded the coming of a great king), the magi set out to follow the star.
No GPS,
no map,
no compass, sextant, or other other help.
A star.
A light.
A belief.
A hope.
And expensive gifts for a king, for a god, for the preparation for a burial.
This story has a fairy tale quality to it.
There’s presumed information (we don’t really know how many there were)
There’s a magical flavor to it.
The rich and powerful contrasted with the poor and humble.
Presuming the star was about the coming of kings,
the sages go to the palace of a king where the star slowed to a stop.
They are in Jewish territory, so they ask “Where is the new king of the Jews?”
The CURRENT occupant of that role is confused, anxious, frightened
and has to ask the religious leaders for the answer
that can be found in the writings of the prophets.
(Herod didn’t know his Scripture very well!)
He perceives a threat.
His solution is “plan A:
get the sages to tell him where this threat is “so that I may pay him homage”.
However, in a dream, God’s messengers tell the sages to
“Go home by another way.”
They do.
They go back to their homeland, but they are changed.
They has been transformed by the encounter.
The bright light of a start led them to the light –
the Light of the world.
These foreigners are invited by this star –
sent by the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars –
to encounter and experience
the Light of the world,
the Hope of the universe,
the Salvation to the nations.
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In the 5th century,
a theologian and preacher named John Chrysologus (“Golden Words”) wrote:
In choosing to be born for us, God chose to be known by us. God therefore reveals God’s own self in this way, in order that this great sacrament of love may not be an occasion for us of great misunderstanding ....
Today the magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see heaven on earth, earth in heaven; humanity in God, God in humanity; one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look, they believe and do not question as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die. (emphasis mine)
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“Arise, shine for your light has come!”
Isaiah and all creation sing out in hope and joy today.
We are invited also to be part of this light reflect:
first, the shepherds, outsiders, are dazzled by glory and brightness of the angel hosts who announce;
then, these foreign sages, also outsiders in terms of faith, follow the light of a star;
All throughout his ministry, Jesus reaches out to those on the fringes, those rejected, the “unclean”, the pariahs, and gives them the light of hope.
And, “insiders” too: Pharisees, scribes, the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son.
All are invited to revel in the light of God’s love and life.
And you – in your baptisms and every time you affirm it:
“Let your light so shine before others,
so that they may see your good works and give glory to your God in heaven.”
You are standing in the light of this star,
the hope of the world in this tiny baby
welcomed and included regardless of what you’ve done or haven’t done,
or if you feel worthy enough (or not)
or if you are crabby today
or if anyone has every told you that you are not included.
“Arise, shine, your light has come”.
It is for you and you are changed by it
and sent out to reflect this hope, joy,
life and light in your world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the Women’s Epiphany tea yesterday,
I was asked what my hope for this next year is.
It is this: that you in this community of faith would continue to be so encouraged, empowered, and excited that you take that energy you have from Jesus to share the hope that you know of God’s embracing and gracious love.
What has been your experience in shining the light of hope?
Ponder this question.
Look for opportunities to shine the light.
Trust in the gifts and the courage from God to do so!
O God, by the leading of a star you revealed your Son Jesus Christ to the gentiles; grant that the whole world may come to see the splendor of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
