The Visit of the Magi
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah,
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped,[g] they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
~ Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSVUE)
For weeks here in Oldtown, we have been talking about gifts. During Advent, it was the gift of Being Present, and each week, our Advent visitors reminded us of and encouraged us to go out and share the gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Light with the world. On Christmas, we received the greatest gift of all, the baby in the manger, who is known by many names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. And the gifts don’t end there, my friends, because today we have brought baby gifts to share with families in need as we remember the gifts that the wise ones brought to Jesus.
Today, we heard the story of Epiphany. The story of the star in the sky and the wise ones who traveled far and wide to see “the child who was born king of the Jews.” We know that there were even more gifts given, gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh—all gifts to foreshadow what was to come in the life of Jesus. Gold is a symbol of divinity. Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. And Myrrh is a symbol of bitterness, suffering, and affliction. Not quite the gifts that you would expect to give to a child. Usually we think of diapers, onesies, bottles and cute stuffed animals, but Jesus was much more than just a child.
Folks, like most of the stories in the Bible, the Christmas story has lots of different themes and gifts to share. And over the years, besides the scripture itself, because of details we have picked up from songs, paintings, poems, and storybooks, we begin to tell ourselves our own Christmas story. And that is okay, because that is how the story becomes even more special to us.
When we hear that the baby was born, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger, we all have a picture that comes to mind. When we hear that there were animals in a stable, heralds of angels or shepherds out watching their flock by night, we imagine them to look a certain way because we have told ourselves the story for years! And when the wise ones, the magi, the kings, the astronomers, or whatever you most affectionately call them, arrive, you have a picture in the back of your mind. You know how many there are. You know what they look like and how they act. And to be honest, I almost think that the story was written and told in a way so that we all make it our own. But I think the most important part about the Christmas Story and the biggest gift that it offers is the fact that Jesus was not born hidden in a royal palace somewhere with every amenity possible. No! He was born in the midst of everyday life. In the hustle and bustle of the busy town of Bethlehem, surrounded by real human beings, just like us. Some broken and outcast. Some educated and wise. Some rich, some poor, some who live in a stable or in a field, or who traveled from faraway lands. Some seemed to have it all together, and some did not.
In the story, we are told of Jews and Gentiles, religious and nonreligious, and they all came to see and worship the baby. Not because they looked like him or came from the same city. And not because they worshipped the same way, shared the same cultural backgrounds, or carried on the same traditions. But because they all knew that this little baby had somehow brought light and love to the world, not just for some but for all!
My friends, the Christmas Story is not just for Christians. It is not about what makes us better than them or promises peace and hope to some and not to others. Folks it’s not about what separates us, but on the contrary, it is about the gift of diversity and inclusion and the importance of putting LOVE FIRST!
When Mary and Joseph first saw their newborn baby, they knew that his name was to be Jesus. They knew that he was born of God. And I am sure that they were afraid, but they also knew that God was right there with them. When the shepherds heard what the angel had told them, they, too, were afraid. But they ran into town anyway. A place where they had always been cast out and looked down upon, for they were lowly shepherds. But in their hearts, they knew that Jesus had come for them. When the magi were following the star in the sky, traveling day after day, mile after mile, they didn’t know what they would find, but they knew that whatever it was, it would fill them with something they longed for. For as scripture said: When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and worshipped him. Because Jesus had come for them too.
Friends, it is so easy for people, groups, communities, religions, and churches to say who is in and who is out. Who is worthy and who is not, but if we truly pay attention to the stories of our faith. Jesus is always loving first, and welcoming everyone no matter who they are or where they have been. And that is the ultimate message that Jesus carries from the manger to the cross. And then hands-on to us to preach and teach and live out in our varied lives.
Folks, often the church is the worst offender when it comes to wanting to control who is in and who is out, who is worthy, and who is not. But as we walk through the next year, hearing the stories of Jesus, we are going to find that no one is ever turned away. No doors are closed. No walls are built. No boundaries are set. Everyone is loved just the way they are, and all are welcome no matter where they have been. You see, with Jesus, each and every person, no matter who they are, what they’ve done, or where they’ve been, has the choice to worship, to follow, to trust, and to receive the love and the grace that is freely given, or to just walk away.
Like the wise ones who followed the star in the sky, there are lots of people in the world who don’t understand where they’re going or what they’ll find, but they know that there is something important out there. Something special. And they know that they long to be a part of it. And you and I, my friends, are just like them. Always looking for guidance, strength, and hope. Because sometimes life is hard, and we need to know that we are not alone.
On your way into worship this morning, because it’s an Epiphany tradition here in Oldtown, you received a star word. It is offered as a gift to you. Now, you may not understand what it means right now, but if you spend some time with it and let it lead you, you just might find that it opens your eyes to a new way of living out your faith, or experiencing the holy or sharing the love of Christ in a new way.
As with everything in this world, the choice is yours. You can spend some time thinking about it. You can put it somewhere that you’ll see it on a regular basis and see if it opens your eyes to something new. Or you can drop it in the trash on the way out. There is no pressure, no stress, and you don’t need to report back to anyone. It’s just an opportunity to open your eyes and your heart to new possibilities.
Friends, this week officially starts the Season of Epiphany, and I always think that this is the most exciting season of all because it is when we’re encouraged to really live out our faith, sharing our gifts, and being the people that God has created and inspired us to be. We spend so much time waiting and planning and preparing, but now is the time to go out and actually do the work!!
So, brothers and sisters in Christ, as you go out into your busy week ahead and as you step out into this season of Epiphany, take some time to follow your star. Share the stories of your faith. Listen for God’s still-speaking voice. Feel the presence of God around you and the holy ground under your feet. Be in the moment, and encourage others to do the same, always remembering to LOVE FIRST, offering a warm welcome to every single person you meet.
My friends, may it be so. Thanks be to God. Amen.
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