Happy New Year! Christmas trees may be slowly coming down, decorations put away, cookies reduced to crumbs and diets begun, but the Christmas season did not officially end until yesterday, with the celebration of Epiphany. Epiphany comes on the 12th day after Christmas and brings us the story of the visit of the magi to the child Jesus. I think it’s worth it for us to extend the season just one more day to lift up what has been once considered, in ancient time, a greater feast day than Christmas.
Epiphany, which means revelation, lifts up the journey of those mysterious figures, the magi, and been popularly known throughout history as wise men, astrologers, court officials, even three kings, as the well-known hymn, “We Three Kings of Orient Are” immortalizes. Our experience of Christmas is not complete until we explore the visit of these magi, and the consequences of that visit to the child Jesus on ultimately for us. In their story lie the challenges and clues for how we are to move forward from Christmas into our New Year, 2024. For we, like the magi, are called to a people of the journey, a people bearing gifts, a people bringing truth to power, a people who face crisis with faith, a people who discover joy in worship; a people whose trek draws them closer to God. A grand order for us, is it not?
Even today it’s hard to imagine the journey the magi undertook. All we know it that they came from “the East.” We do know that they represented the learned, the scholars of the east. They were members of the priestly class of ancient Persia, given to the study of the esoteric; adept at dream interpretation and divination. It would have been very easy for these magi to dismiss this star as having no relevance for them. They could have stayed home, safe and sound. Yet they didn’t. They traveled a journey of up to 1,500 miles. It was a long journey. It took months. During this journey, these Magi had their own revelation. They had an inkling of something much greater than humankind had ever experienced before was unfolding in their journey. Where they perhaps getting an inkling that God was not limited by national or cultural boundaries? They were following a God who would draw all diverse peoples together in a bond of love.
I love the fact that the magi followed a star – the gps system of the ancient world. No maps, no trip-tiks, so Siri. Just a star – the constellations – the heavens -- guiding them. But something interesting –even horrifying - happens. Matthew tells us that the journey of the magi takes them straight to Jerusalem, to the very palace of King Herod. They are in the final stage of their journey less than 10 miles away from Bethlehem. They have come as far as they could with the guidance of the star and now, they need help. Of all people they should end up consulting, it is King Herod. Herod: known for his paranoia, sociopathy and cruelty. He is called a “murderous old man” in ancient texts. So, before this notoriously jealous, bloodthirsty King appear these exotic foreigners and their unusual request: “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” Did the magi realize that they were in fact, talking to the King of the Jews? For that’s what Herod’s title was, as he was appointed by Rome to rule over Judea.
Herod is alarmed. In fact, the text says he becomes frightened. He summons all the chief priests and Jewish leaders who are also stirred up. They experience an agitation of the soul with a word that John uses to describe Jesus’ state of mind the night before his death. Profoundly agitated. Deeply upset.
Why does God allow such a turmoil to take place? Why does God allow the Magi to disclose their mission to the murderous King Herod and his cronies? This message incites a crisis that there is a contender on the scene ready to remove them from power and challenge their way of life. The scribes pinpoint the birthplace as Bethlehem from the prophecy from Micah 5. So Herod instructs the Magi to return to him afterwards, so that he too might pay him homage. It is not homage on Herod’s mind but homicide.
The birth of Jesus threatens to disrupt the proper order of things; how power and privilege are supposed to work. Herod closes down, gives in to fear. The Magi are warned in a dream to not to return to Herod – to go home by another route. When the magi don’t send word back to Herod, he resorts to murder of the male children under two in Bethlehem; forcing Joseph and Mary to take Jesus and flee with Jesus to Egypt
So, the question for all of us today is: how does the birth of Christ change or challenge us? Will we go on in the new year unchanged by Christmas, by Christ - or how is the presence of Jesus in our lives upsetting the normal order of things? Does Jesus make a difference to us? Are our lives different as a result of Christ’s birth?
The light of Epiphany challenges our way of thinking and living. As we enter the new year perhaps with new resolutions, Epiphany would have us resolve to follow Jesus more closely. To give more generously. To uplift each other. To give up bad habits. Perhaps we are being called to gather more faithfully in worship – to engage more in serving others – to care more deeply – to speak the truth more forcefully. The season of epiphany will ask us to explore how we are being disciples of Jesus – starting next week when we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s witness. One thing is sure: whatever the challenge God is placing in our lives, like the magi, we are being called to follow a new road, a different road – a road that leads us more faithfully following the footsteps of Jesus.
How is your faith being challenged this day? What is your crisis of faith? What new road is God calling you to follow and what gifts are you being called to bring forth in our darkened world?
Let’s take this new road together this year, as we proclaim the revelation of Jesus as the Light of the World. May 2024 be a new of change, of courage, of facing the dangers that would destroy the light. May we see God’s revelation, God’s epiphany – and in doing so - be God’s presents, God’s presence to shine the light of Christ down whatever road God chooses to take us this year. Amen.