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Seeing the Star, the Light!

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“Seeing the Star, the Light!”

Matthew 2:1-12– January 6, 2026

What do we do when everything is dark? When there is a power outage, and the electricity gets shut off? That happened to us in our Chicago suburb several nights ago, when there were huge wind gusts and intense, high winds most of the overnight hours. What do we do when there is no power, and when our whole lives revolve around electricity?     

This past week in the United States has been head-spinning, from a number of different directions. I am not going to dig down on any one particular horrible happening, but I will concentrate instead primarily on the Scripture lessons for Epiphany, January 6th. We will highlight Matthew 2:1-12, and secondarily also mention Isaiah 60:1-9.

            As the Magi approached Palestine in following the Star of Wonder, they needed more specific guidance. They wanted instructions from a local point of view. Let us see what Matthew has to tell us. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

            The tyrant Herod, a narcissistic, blood-thirsty despot, was horribly dismayed by these foreign VIPs coming to his court in Jerusalem, out of the blue. They came with legitimate questions, and in the days before GPS and Google Maps, they wanted some direction, a local point of view, a viewpoint on their specific questions.

I think I know the answer already, but do you think King Herod had any interest in following God and God’s guidance – for anything?

            Except, the Hebrew Scriptures were pretty specific about many of God’s prophecies. King Herod calls the priests together and asks – privately – where the Messiah, the King, is to be born. After finding out that the prophesied birthplace was right nearby, in the neighboring town of Bethlehem, Herod sends the Magi there. He tells these minor nobles to find the newborn Baby and then to report back to him. Supposedly because Herod also wanted to “worship” him. Except, I think we all know exactly what Herod wanted to do to the Baby Jesus.

            The star continued to lead the Magi to Jesus. We know today that Jesus is “the light of the world, the revelation of divine love who came to dwell among us.” [1] This light of the world, this divine love is certainly a bright Light that shines in the darkness. Certainly, Jesus is a Light to lighten all peoples. However, the Magi do not know this yet. They are still on their way.

            This reading from Matthew 2 describes the journey of the wise men, the Magi, following the star. What do we use today as we figure out our directions in life? What do we do when we need guidance for our significant life journeys? How do you and I determine which path to take when the way ahead gets foggy or dark or just plain unknown?

            If we turn to our reading from Isaiah 60, we see more about light – the light and the glory of the Lord. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
            As I thought more deeply on these two connected Scripture readings, the idea of Light coming out of the darkness came to me again, strongly. “’Arise, shine’ is not about enjoying light. It is a command to reflect and spread light.” [2] We are invited to consider, to ponder the difference in basking in light and shining out in the darkness. How did the Magi follow their Star, their Light, in a way that was most wonderful to them? How are each of us able to follow the Light and the information we have available to us in order to proceed along the paths that God has for each of us? Even in sheer darkness, when we are dispirited and alone?

            These past weeks have been dark weeks, no matter where people stand on the political spectrum. This is a time to truly seek God’s insight and God’s guidance.

            It does not matter when in history we find ourselves, it does not matter how dark the current times are or how much tumult, horror or disruption is happening, either locally or nationally. In both Isaiah 60 and Matthew 2, we read about a clarion call to follow the Light. Yes, it is a challenge to follow God’s Light through the present darkness! And yes, many other things can distract us and try to pull our attention away from following God’s Light. [3]

            Thank God we have been given the Star of wonder to follow, just like the Magi. Even when the Herods try to distract those who follow, we all can “arise and shine!” We all have the opportunity to shine in the darkness, wherever we are in life.

            Follow the Star. Follow the true Light, Jesus Christ. Be a light in the darkness.

            Alleluia, amen.

@chaplaineliza

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

[1] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/epiphany-of-the-lord-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/epiphany-of-the-lord-year-a-youth-lessons

[2] https://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2012/11/year-c-epiphany-january-6-2013.html

[3] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/epiphany-of-the-lord-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/epiphany-of-the-lord-year-a-youth-lessons

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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.