Many churches celebrate the visit of the wise men from the East who came to see the baby Jesus as Epiphany Sunday. Generally it falls on a Sunday in January. The word 'epiphany' means revelation or manifesation. The celebration is to remember and thank God for the revelation of a savior to the gentiles. What possibly could have motivated them to make a treacherous journey of thousands of miles across the desert? There's only one answer to that question -- they received a gift in the form of a star with a message. They studied the message of the star and understood that a baby King would be born to the Jews, but they didn't know the exact location. So they started a journey to the West and came to Jerusalem--the capital city--seeking help. It actually makes sense that they went to Jerusalem because they wanted to welcome the 'King of the Jews.' They guessed that this newborn king was the son of Herod the Great. They assumed that everyone must know about this baby. But a great surprise awaited them.
Who were these Wise Men? They were the professors and philosophers of their day, originating from some Eastern countries. These professionals were brilliant and highly educated scholars who were trained in medicine, history, religion, prophecy and astronomy. Our modern word 'magistrate' is a direct descendant of the word 'magi'. Since these men thought deeply about life, it certainly makes sense to call them 'Wise Men.' They were also trained in what we would call astrology. Back then, astrology was connected with people's search for God.
God had given the wise men a gift in the form of a star in the sky. It was a star with a message. There may be gifts that have some hidden messages behind them, like a gift certificate for a quick weight loss program. A friend of mine in a previous church bought me a book titled, “ How to become a better preacher.” I don't think he did it with any hidden message behind it. But if any of you are planning to get me that book, please don't I already have it. Some gifts come with a subtle hint, like an exercise machine or a book about weight loss. The best gifts are those that come from someone who loves us and knows what we need.
The star was a timely gift to the Magi. They had to plan ahead of time to reach the baby on time. They did pay attention. Some companies I worked for in the past used to give out tickets, like tickets to Six flags, aquarium or some games. Generally they come in emails, and many miss it because they use their delete key a lot. The wise men (Magi) did pay attention to the gift in the sky and then pursued it to take advantage of the opportunity to go and see the savior of the world.
It is for the wise to know the signs. It was a sign that the prophets and the forefathers had been telling for thousands of years that a savior will be born to save the world from sin. It was told since the fall of Adam. This was foretold by the ancient Eastern religions as well as the others. God always speaks loud enough for a willing ear to hear. The signs of Jesus' coming were clear enough for anyone to see. The wise men heard and did something; the shepherds heard it and did something; the religious scholars knew and did nothing.
As the 'Magi' set out for Bethlehem, which was only five miles south of Jerusalem, the star they saw in the east suddenly reappears. According to the gospel of Matthew 2:9, the star went on before them until it came and stood over the very home where the baby Jesus was. That doesn't sound like a natural star. It sounds more like a miraculous star created by God to lead the Magi to the right location.
During the holidays we slip most easily into the roles the magi played. We bear gifts. We traverse afar. The magi popped in with their gifts, then departed. They didn’t stay close to the Lord Jesus like Joseph and Mary did. I wonder if I keep some distance but feel pretty good about it since, after all, I did give Jesus a few gifts. I paid my offering, said some prayers, read about the magi, took canned goods to the food collection, and then I go on my way.
The Journey does not end with giving gifts. But God has made each of us a star in the East with a message, a message of good news to all people, to guide others to Christ. Each of us is given a life in this world as a gift, each of us is a star to shine and guide others to Christ. You are a star in the East, for the person who sits to the west, to one who lives near you, and the one who works beside you. It takes deep faith and profound hope to see beyond the manger, to be a guiding star in the world. We are all God's gifts to this world, gifts with a message to shine as a star in the East in the darkness to guide others to the light.
No gift is worth anything if not given out of love. “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God is not like Santa Claus checking our requests list and sending the angels out to give what we ask for. God gives us far better than our deepest desiring: God’s own self. That alone would express the depths of love He has for the world.
Blessings
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