The Magi – An Epiphany Story
The stained glass image of one of the
Wise Men, is associated by many with a heart warming Christmas story, an
extension of the Christmas Miracle.
The journey of the Wise Men is
recounted in the Gospel of Matthew 2: 1-12, on The Feast of the Epiphany.
By that time in the season of
Christmas, the presents have been opened, and a new year is beginning. The
spirit of the new year for many is a time of reflection. A time of new
beginnings, and a journey forward, in one’s own Christian journey.
Journeying in this world may not be without
challenges, with both its highs and lows.
The journey of the Wise Men as described in
Matthew, was not a simple journey, and not without challenges.
With a
seemingly innocent inquiry of, “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,” had its repercussions. Putting it mildly, in modern terms, King Herod
was not impressed.
As such, it became necessary for them, to make
adjustments in their journey. After paying homage to the Christ child, they
made a new exit strategy for their journey home. “…having been warned in a
dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another
road."
Our human journeys,
with the bringing of gifts, the bringing of one’s self, both in journey, and in
community with each other, may require adjustments, and, other roads. Perhaps
the stained glass image of one of the Wise Men, might represent the mosaic of
life, or the mosaic of a journey, made up of individual pieces.
As the Wise Men, were being guided by a star,
“until it stopped over the place where the child was.” Following the star, the
Wise Men were searching at a time of darkness, with the star being visible, in
a darkened sky.
Jesus is the
light, in a darkened world !
May the
Peace + of Jesus be with you, on your journey.
----
Pastor Bill Macintyre
No comments:
Post a Comment