The Epiphany of Our Lord

The Manifestation to the Gentiles

Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

A few summers ago, while I was up at the cottage, there was a spectacular meteor shower.  Several of us took our blankets out and laid them out on the field where there is a clear view of the sky.  Without the interference of the city lights it was an amazing sight. As I lay there looking up at the night sky I found myself sing, “Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hands have made.  I see the stars … That beloved hymn goes on, reminding us of God’s awesome creation. 

The night sky has always held a fascination for humankind.  Ancient peoples scanned the skies looking for signs.  The story of the magi underlines that fact.  There are few details in the story, however we seem to be able to fill in the blanks for ourselves.  For example, we all know that there were three wise men.  Matthew does not say that.  He says that wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.  Then they followed the star to where Jesus lay.  We all know they came to the stable, don’t we?  And yet Matthew tells us that they went into the house where they paid homage to the child. 

We know the story because storytellers throughout the ages have added to the lore.  We do it every time we have our children perform a pageant.  And some of the stories are wonderful.  Even without any such lore, we can relate to the story of the magi.  It connects to us on a deep spiritual level.  It is part of human nature to seek for meaning in our lives.  The story of the magi illuminates the shrouded areas of our lives.  It brings together so many themes.  It brings together pain and promise.  It reminds us that life is a hard search that ends in an unlikely find.  It tells us that gift giving is really about spiritual meeting.  It reminds us of our identity, who we are and whose we are.  It helps us to reflect on Jesus, the light of the world. 

Who are these people in Matthew’s story who left everything to follow a star?  You don’t just happen to follow a star for nothing.  They were searching – for something, for someone.  You do not scan the sky night after night unless you are searching.  Were they dissatisfied with their way of life?  Were they hoping for something new?  Whatever the reason, they packed their luggage, saddled their camels and followed the star.  They blazed a trail that has been followed ever since.  It is a trail that leads in new directions.  It leads to a whole new way of relating to God.   

During the season of Epiphany we consider how God is revealed to the world.  We reflect on what it means that Christ is the light of the world.  What does it mean in a truly practical sense?  What difference does it make in my life? 

A star led the magi to Jesus.  What star led you?  Who has influenced you in your life journey?  For most of us it starts with our parents.  That is certainly where it begins with me.  I can count on one hand the number of times that I have not been in church on Sunday morning since my father and mother first brought me as a tiny baby.  They brought me for baptism, believing that I would grow up in the faith.  They taught me to pray. They encouraged me There were other people on that journey.  There was Aunt Alice Frances, not really my aunt, but my godmother.  She was a person of deep faith.  She kept in touch with me over the years, reminding me of the promises made at my baptism.  She helped me to honour those promises.  There was Maude, a friend of the family, irascible though she could be.  She once cut the limb off a tree behind the chapel in the backyard of the rectory because my brother kept hanging upside down from it while she was at morning Eucharist.  Yet her spirituality and personal piety influenced me.  There was a professor during my undergraduate years who challenged my faith and made me think about what I believed.  He helped me to understand that faith has to be reasonable.  There was a parish priest who nurtured my faith.  We need such people in our lives.  They are the ones in whom we see Christ.  They are the ones who teach us to be Christ for others. 

The magi were transformed by their visit to the Christ child.  In what way has my life been transformed?  Do I continue to walk in old paths, in old ways?  Then what has Christmas accomplished?  New life means new paths, new goals, new attitudes, new motivations.  What paths are being opened up before me as I enter a new year?  Am I a new person?  How has my encounter with the Christ child affected my life, my way of living?  What is God trying to accomplish in me at this very moment? 

Who have I influenced in their life journey?  The magi brought gifts to the child, not counting the cost.  To what or to whom do I open my treasures?  What gifts do I offer?  Are they my finest gifts?  Do I give of myself to God and to others?  Do I gently lead those whom God brings into my life? 

The New Year is a time to reflect on the changes that we wish to make in our lives.  It is a time to make resolutions that we will try to keep throughout the year.  Let us think about the gifts we bring to Jesus.  What loving actions can we offer to help spread God’s realm?  What can we do to help transform our own lives and the lives of those we touch?  Let your loving actions be a part of your prayers for yourself and for others. 

Jesus comes to us as a little baby, drawing us closer to God.  As the wise men bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, so we bring our gifts of love to God.  And in so doing we reach out into a needy world with the light of Christ, a light that transforms all of creation. 

There is a legend that the Magi were three different ages.  They went into the cave one at a time.  They each met someone their own age.  Melchior met an old man who spoke to him of memory and gratitude.  Balthazar met a middle-aged man who talked about leadership and responsibility.  Gaspar met a young prophet who spoke words of reform and promise.  Afterward they entered the cave together and met a baby twelve days old.  The message of Christ speaks to every stage of our lives.  It continues to reveal itself to us as we grow in faith and maturity.  To find Christ at any stage of our lives is to find ourselves.  Yet when we enter together, we find a deeper truth, that we are children of God.  Our dependency and indebtedness does not go away with maturity.  We continue to need the nurture of one another on our life journey.  We are stars for one another, leading each other to Christ.  Seeking Christ in others.  Allowing ourselves to be Christ for a broken world.  Amen.