Tag Archives: light of God

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Star of Wonder!

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“Star of Wonder!”

Matthew 2:1-12 (2:11) – January 7, 2024

            I know the image of a manger scene is familiar to all of us here. Who hasn’t seen an adorable little Nativity on a friend’s mantle or under a relative’s Christmas tree? And remember the Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas?” Christmas does not end on December 25th. Christmastide continues for twelve days, through January 5th. Some here might be familiar with Twelfth Night, and Three Kings Day (which is Epiphany, or January 6th).

            While we are all thinking of a Nativity scene, let me tell you some news: the Magi did not come to see the newborn infant Jesus while He was lying in a manger. They did not show up in Bethlehem for some months. The Gospel of Matthew tells us the Magi came to see the child (or toddler) Jesus and brought Him their gifts. A different Gospel story than the angels and shepherds and the infant lying in a manger! That narrative is found in the Gospel of Luke.

            Not all of those Nativity figures we or our children unwrapped to set up around the stable under the tree are found in both stories. Some churches keep the camels and magi of the Nativity set off to the side all through Advent and Christmas, until Epiphany. Following that Star of Wonder, guiding the Magi all along.

            Matthew’s birth story centers around the Star. We have come to see this as the Star of Epiphany, the Light that has come into the world! We use Light to symbolize God. The Star of Wonder represents the Light of God! Just think of the Star at the top of many Christmas trees. This signifies the Star that the Magi followed – that same star we talk about today.

            We may reminisce about Christmas pageants we saw in years past, or how adorable the grandchildren looked, dressed up as shepherds or angels or even the Magi. But have you ever given thought to how much it meant for the Magi to really follow that Star for days, weeks, perhaps even a month or two? These foreign Magi were most probably nobility, astronomers and wise men – or should I say, wise people? For there were women who were accounted as some of these Magi, too. And, they determined to travel to where this newborn King was.

            I wonder – would you or I do as much? Would we undertake a difficult journey to find an emissary of God, not knowing quite where we were going, or when the trip would end? Would we rather stay in our safe homes, and predictable places, and steady jobs? Or, would we pick up and leave immediately because the wondrous Star suddenly was on the move?

            The Magi finally arrived in Jerusalem. Remember, these are foreign dignitaries, and at least minor nobility and perhaps royalty. They went to the palace in Jerusalem to inquire of King Herod, “Where is the one born King of the Jews?” Matthew says they asked, “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him..” Some translations use the more archaic term “pay him homage,” just as someone bows before a king.

“This verse might lead us to ask one another: What signs have pointed you toward faith in Christ? Are you prepared to pay him homage? To kneel at his feet as a classic, time honored posture of reverence to a king?” [1]  These are serious questions for us to ponder, and hopefully, to pray about. Most importantly, God wants us to consider these questions.

             “The [Magi] are scholars and astronomers schooled in the close observation of the stars, but how are they at observing human nature? They see signs of deity in the stars. How are they at discerning signs of deception in shifty eyes?” [2] For that matter, how are we at discerning signs of deception, those hints that someone is shifty, even untrustworthy? Do we simply keep our heads down and go about our own business, or keep our eyes on that Star, following to find the Messiah, the one born King of the Jews? Thankfully, the Magi got the information they needed and set off a few miles down the road to Bethlehem. There they found the small child Jesus, and gave Him gifts suited for a King! Gold, frankincense and myrrh.

These gifts are certainly appropriate to offer to a king. “Gold has great value; frankincense is a perfume; and myrrh is a common anointing oil. The gifts have symbolic significance in light of the identity of the baby to whom they are given. Gold is a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (used for incense) is a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) is a symbol of death.” [3]

            The Magi are savvy enough to discern that King Herod is not the kind ruler that some might think. Quite the contrary! Any student of the first century knows that this Herod is a bloodthirsty tyrant. These wise people (wise in several ways!) quietly leave Herod’s territory by another way to go back to their homes.   

            As the Magi return home, you and I are left with the Star of Wonder. What will we do with this star? The Star was so significant to the journey of the Magi as it guided them to the Christ Child. But, what about today? What guides us in our lives? Whose guidance do we seek and trust? This is a sure opportunity to follow the signs that can lead us to Christ. And, may you and I be as savvy to threats in this world.

            Just as the Magi gave precious gifts to the Christ Child, we, too, can bring our gifts. We all can give our talents, and even ourselves to Christ this Epiphany. May we continue to place ourselves and our hearts and lives in Christ’s keeping. May God bless us all as we travel on the road to God’s country. Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.patheos.com/progressive-christian/gold-frankincense-myrrh-alyce-mckenzie-01-03-2013

[2] https://www.patheos.com/progressive-christian/gold-frankincense-myrrh-alyce-mckenzie-01-03-2013

[3] Ibid.

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Shine the Light

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“Shine the Light”

Matt 5-16 light so shine

Matthew 5:13-16 (5:16) – February 9, 2020

My family lives in Evanston, not too far from Lighthouse Beach. Yes, there is still a working lighthouse standing on the lakefront. In fact, a number of working lighthouses still are shining their lights over Lake Michigan, and the other Great Lakes. Less so today, with all the electronic and computer-assisted help, but in years past, lighthouses had an essential purpose in helping navigators stay safe on stormy water.

I suspect Jesus knew about lighthouses and navigation lights, living near the sea of Galilee as He did. Navigation lights help sailors a great deal, giving them direct knowledge and understanding about how to stay safe on the water. In our Gospel reading today, Jesus talks about light. He’s talking directly to the people listening to Him, who I suspect are mostly His followers. And—Jesus makes this remarkable statement: “You are the light of the world.”

Some might think that our Lord Jesus is just expressing a pious platitude, or perhaps a devout wish. Oh, I wish people could be the light of the world! Wouldn’t it be nice?

However, Jesus not only is saying that about the people listening to Him at the time, 2000 years ago, but He is also saying that to everyone who reads these words in Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus says those words to us, here, today. We are the light of the world.

Now, if we are light, that implies certain things. Jesus means that the world is in a state of darkness. What is it like to be in darkness, with no light? Let me tell you, when I was younger, I used to go to rural Wisconsin and do tent camping a long way away from any electric lights or settled places. It got really dark at night, and I sure was glad I had a flashlight! I suspect some of you have had similar experiences in the dark. It gets really dark at night, far from the safety of electricity and steady sources of light. It can be scary and dangerous, too.

I’ve never been out on a stormy night on the water, but I suspect people can be very scared of dangerous conditions on the ocean or on a big lake, too. That is one reason why people have depended on lighthouses and navigation lights for safety, security and direction, for many centuries.

As we have mentioned before in weeks past, light and darkness both have their places in God’s world. Darkness can be gentle and needed at times. During Advent and Epiphany, we thought about different aspects about darkness that are warm, friendly, even inviting. We thought about nocturnal animals, gestating animals, and growing seeds underground. All in the warm, nurturing, friendly darkness. These examples give us a whole different view of darkness as opposed to light.

Except, we do not want there to be no light at all in the world, ever, and only perpetual darkness. Perpetual darkness can be a downright scary idea. Jesus told us clearly that we are the light of the world, bringing light into dark places. Can you think of times and places where light is much needed?

As I read the words of one of my favorite commentators this past week, Rev. Janet Hunt, this concept struck home to me. See whether her words strike you as true, too.

“Light helps us to distinguish difference and to celebrate diversity.

Light can deepen understanding.

Light works on cellular structures to promote growth.

Light heals.

Light helps us find our way.

Light. And today Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.” [1]

I don’t know about you, but I suspect Pastor Janet Hunt would absolutely agree with us when we also add lighthouses and navigation lights to the list of things that help each of us to find our way in the dark. Yes, darkness can be gentle and welcoming, but darkness is also scary, producing anxiety. Darkness can cause fear of the unknown, and even make people shrink to engage and interact. And, on dark and stormy nights on the water, we all sure are glad to see lighthouses and navigation lights that show us the way to go.   

When Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world, that means that Jesus is describing our inside nature as followers of Him. After all, He also said He is the light of the world in John chapter 8. Just as Jesus came into the world to bring light to people who walk in darkness, just so Jesus has given each of us that light. Jesus gives us power to display that light of His like a lighthouse brings light to a dark, dangerous coastline, providing hope and direction.

Now, wait, some people might say. I know that professional Christians are supposed to bring people the light of God. Professional Christians have learned how to do that in school, haven’t they? Well, yes. But, Jesus is not just talking to professionals here. Jesus means this description of our inside nature to be for all of us—for every believer in Him.

How are each of us supposed to shine the light of Jesus? That’s hard. That’s scary.

I remember a friend of mine—Miss Rose, who I’ve mentioned before. I came to know and love Miss Rose over thirty years ago at another Chicago-area church. She was a church member all of her life, and her special ministry was working with the children. She loved being a Sunday school teacher, and she would eagerly and willingly tell children and young people about the Lord. She never shied away from letting people know that she shined the light of Jesus as much as she possibly could.

When I think about this verse from Matthew 5, I often think of Miss Rose, shining the light of Jesus, and bringing hope and direction to many young people.

Imagine my delight at meeting Miss Rose again, when I was a chaplain intern at the Presbyterian Homes, a senior retirement community in Evanston. While I was in seminary, one of my field education positions was as a chaplain intern in the large healthcare unit there.

Miss Rose was a resident living there. And lo and behold, Miss Rose shared her love of the Lord with everyone in the healthcare unit. She was the light of the world in her little corner of the world. Even though she was in constant pain, Miss Rose never let that stop her shining the light of Jesus. When I grow up, I want to be like Miss Rose.  

I want to provide a challenge for all of us. As Pastor Janet Hunt says, we are all called to go into dark places with the light of Jesus. Sometimes, we are even called to shine the light of God onto an unfair or sad situation, and bring comfort, direction and friendship.

  • Where have you seen such ‘light’ bringing hope, direction, and promise to a world that is too often dark?
  • Where will you seek to bring such ‘light,’ to be such ‘light’ in the days to come? And, how might you do this together with others who are called to ‘be the light of the world’ with you?

All great questions. I pray that we might go forth from this place, all of us shining the light of Jesus in our particular corner of the world, each and every day.

Alleluia, amen.

[1] http://dancingwiththeword.com/you-are-the-light-of-the-world-2/

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my regular blog for 2020: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and my other blog,  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[I would like to thank the Rev. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and his superb book Studies in the Sermon on the Mount (Eerdmans Publishing Company: Grand Rapids, MI, 1971). For this sermon, I have borrowed several extended ideas from Chapter Fifteen, “The Light of the World.” Thanks so much!]