Brilliant Star-Filled Vision
Today is the eleventh day of Christmas. Tomorrow, Epiphany is the culmination, the last of the twelve days of Christmas. We conclude our feasting and weekending for days, all in the name of the Christ child, and we receive God’s revelation. Beginning, before his birth, the Magi, the astronomers from Persia, travelled across miles to find the Christ child. They continued long after shepherds had returned to their flocks and inns had right sized from the influx of census visitors. We, too, have been on a journey to find Jesus, knowing that there are others already celebrating, and want to know him intimately.
The astronomers had identified the single star that led them to Jesus from among all the stars in the sky. We often have brilliant star-filled vision. There is so much we see and so many possibilities of where God could be calling us. So many ways we could travel to reach where we think the future is – that we see many stars instead of the clarity of one star. Some people specifically are hesitant to make one choice or another in life, because they have a ‘fear of missing out’ on the choices that they did not choose. They can even become seemingly paralyzed by the possibilities. Without the clarity of a single guiding star or focus, everything is possible, but no one thing is the compelling future pathway forward. After following the star through the town, the Magi did not stay in Bethlehem at the house, where they visited Jesus. They returned to their own homes by a different route.
We have always needed Magi. Barbara Brown Taylor, in her book, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others, writes about her experience of teaching world religions as Christian clergyperson. She talks of holy envy of other faiths who have helped her to see God in her faith. “As soon as she recovered from the shock of meeting God in so many new hats, she fell for every religion she taught. When she taught Judaism, she wanted to be a rabbi. When she taught Buddhism, she wanted to be a monk. It was only when she taught Christianity that the fire sputtered, because her religion looked so different once she saw it lined up with the others. She always promised her students that studying other faiths would not make them lose their own.” It only causes you to lose the box that you kept God in. The Magi were likely Zoroastrian priests devoted to following the stars to find the king. She observes that the magi show up as religious strangers, leave their mark on the Nativity story, and exit stage left. (1)
In contrast to the pharisees and scribes, religious professionals and governmental officials with whom they engaged upon entering Bethlehem, the magi brought zeal and energy, curiosity and earnestness. Today, here is an invitation for those more like the magi, non-churched, or disenfranchised: You may not have a church background or may have rejected what you knew previously, because of the actions of the church. You may not fit perfectly into the image you have of churchgoer, but you are drawn to Jesus. Like the Magi, much of this scene seems foreign and the dynamics are hard to navigate. Please don’t let imperfect Christians scare you away from the perfect Christ. Let the astrologers come to Jesus, and do not forbid them, for such is the kingdom of heaven.
Epiphany, the holiday, is also a part of our vocabulary as an experience. Epiphany is more than a light bulb moment. Epi”, meaning ‘on’ or ‘upon’, and “phaneros”, which means ‘visible’, ‘apparent’ or ‘manifest’. In an epiphany, something is revealed, made apparent to you. A realization that you did not come to on your own, but rather, God revealed to you. The faithful of Jesus’ day would have known the Psalms well as the songbook for worship. Hearing the words of promise that one day a savior would come who would “defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.” (Psalm 72). This revelation of who God would be was working singing about and work for.
Our practice of receiving star words evokes the revelation of Epiphany. Last year, my word was Rejoice! After diligence, caution, and rigor of medical treatments for cancer in 2018 to frame the year with an invitation to rejoice was a gift. But halfway through the year, at our women’s retreat, I received a stone with another word – healed. This invitation to live into God’s gift was a revelation – an epiphany! Epiphany is about God coming to us in ways we would never have predicted on our own. There is value of being reminded that what we do, individually, can matter to all of us, corporately.
We enter this new year seeking the guidance of a single star to guide us with the fullness of last year challenges nipping at our heels. As a country, we carry the potential of war and further conflict and division on an international stage, especially after the killing of Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani. Our United Methodist Social Principles proclaim our commitment, “We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy. We oppose unilateral first/preemptive strike actions and strategies on the part of any government. As disciples of Christ, we are called to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict (2) .” And, we join together in prayer and actions of support as we wait and watch with our servicepersons being deployed to posts here and around the world for protective purposes. I am moved by the dedication of young people and dedicated servicepersons who seek to be reconcilers of the conflict.
In our own denomination, the United Methodist Church announced on Friday a “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.(3) ” Let me join our bishop and district superintendent in clarifying, that despite any headlines you might have seen to the contrary, – “it is not a done deal!” Sixteen key leaders from across the globe and theological spectrum met with Kenneth Feinberg, professional mediator, known from his work with September 9/11 Compensation Fund and others, to facilitate the framework for an agreement. I urge you to read the protocol. Here are a few key components:
- An Abeyance on all complaints and trials between now and General Conference related to same-sex weddings and LGBTQ clergy
- Development of regional conferences
- Allow traditionalist churches to leave with assets and create their own denomination with $25 million
- Annual conferences may affiliate with new Methodist denomination by 2021.
- Sets aside $39 million dollars from both the UMC and the Traditionalist denomination for reparations in acknowledgement of the harm done to people of color during past changes in structure and system
- Sets aside $2 million for any other future denominations that may want to be developed
- All Clergy retain their pensions as Wespath will service all new expressions
- Local churches who desire a different affiliation than their annual conference can vote by 2024.
All of this is subject to development into proposed General Conference legislation and approval in May. As a part of the General Conference delegation, I will be present in Minneapolis. Further, I will be teaching on this topic in depth in February during Sunday School, but would be happy to answer any questions today after worship. I lament the pain and division of the body of Christ, but celebrate this movement forward as reconciliation does not always look the same in every season.
In Epiphany, we carry the light we have experienced in our own Silent Night social media postable moments and our Joy to the World energy with us, so that we might let our lights shine for others. We cannot remain at the manger adoring a sweet baby Jesus in every season. We must allow seasons and tradition to be dynamic and the future to evolve, so that the presence of God to be carried through our lives and known to the world.
May God, the Creator, who made you and loves you, provide sufficiently for your needs.
May Jesus the Christ, the Light of the World, guide your way in the unknown land as the Magi depended on the star.
May the Holy Spirit gift you with a star word as you travel into the yet to be discovered 2020.
This is the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, thanks be to God, Amen.
(1) Taylor, Barbara Brown. Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others. Harper One: 2019.
(2) United Methodist Social Principles, paragraph i65.c.
(3)https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/united-methodist-traditionalists-centrists-progressives-bishops-sign-agreement-aimed-at-separation-13133654?fbclid=IwAR2Hip5GD3RdneqN9Fyrz8WrTmlfyPqcRsPuZ1vwLk1rOWlq2NkJS1D04Ro
Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service.
For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “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.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising,[f] until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Meditations For Your Week
Sunday, January 5 ~ Saturday, January 11, 2020
Sunday: “May the LORD judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.” Psalm 72:2. Consider that we are judged justly without being judged equally. Pray for those in power to open their hearts to humility, and the downtrodden to be lifted up.
Monday: “May the LORD defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.” Psalm 72:4. God calls us not to give aid to those in need; but rather, be in relationship with our neighbors and advocate with them. Pray for your heart’s change.
Tuesday: “May the LORD be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.” Psalm 72:6. God gives refreshment to our souls and guidance to our beings. Pause in God’s presence today for refreshment and guidance.
Wednesday: “When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.” Matthew 2:9. We have been journeying and hurrying to get to the next thing. Watch and wait for the moments that’s God’s presence like the star before the Magi calls you to STOP.
Thursday: “When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.” Matthew 2: 10. Joy is a gift! Give thanks to God for gifts of JOY!
Friday: “On entering the house, the Magi saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11. Homage is public worship. You can not pay homage unless others are present. Where are you paying homage to Christ?
Saturday: “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.” Matthew 2:12. Where is God calling you to go home a different way this year? When we are changed by God, we can not keep going back to our old habits and expect different results.