Epiphany

 

 

"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." Matthew 2:2

So the three strangers came bearing gifts.

Okay. So it wasn't exactly gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But they did give me a cheeseburger from the Burger King and several Jolly Ranchers. And they weren't exactly men--at least not quite yet. I'd say they were about eleven or twelve years old. Nor would I use the term wise to describe them. But Austen, Ryan, and Joe did come to Faith Lutheran Church searching. And, whether they knew it or not, they had came seeking Jesus.

Why three young lads were hanging out in an urban church parking lot well after darkness had fallen on a winter's night is quite beyond me. Maybe it was just because our parking lot has always been the place for neighborhood kids to hang, smoke cigarettes (or dope), and do whatever it is that kids do when they don't think responsible adults can see them. Maybe they just needed to use the lavatory so they banged on the church door when they saw the light on inside. I don't know. But they've come to visit me a few times now. And they've asked me questions about Jesus and really seem to be listening to my answers.

Again, I have no idea what they are looking for. But I know that God wants them to find Jesus.

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This is the beauty of Epiphany--the festival season which celebrates the revelation of Jesus as God's son. The blessings of Christ are open to everyone. From eastern mystic sages to humble shepherds to three pre-teen boys hanging out in a church parking lot.

The central images of this season are the Wise Men and the star. Maybe the Wise Men described in Matthew's gospel were Persian Zoroastrian astrologers--far removed from the people of Bethlehem in language, religion, customs, and geography. They were about as different from Jesus' people as people at that time could get. And yet, they recognized, through the philosophy of their own culture, that Almighty God was in the process of doing something spectacular for humanity. You see, it's not about our own particular dogma or rituals. God speaks in many voices to as many different people as will listen.

I really love the iconography of this season, too. The early Christian Church depicted the Wise Men as an old man with a grey beard, a middle aged man with a black beard, and as a young, beardless fellow. The image was intended to convey the message that Jesus was meant for all generations and for all time. The Magi were also presented as a European, a Middle Easterner, and a black African--proclaiming the unity of all people in Christ.

The other beautiful image of this season is the star--a symbol of navigation for ancient people. A wonderful thing about stars, I think, is that they can't be seen unless we are surrounded by darkness. Sometimes in our darkest moments we are the most open to God's direction.

I often wonder why King Herod doesn't seem to notice this star. Perhaps he never goes out at night. He might be afraid of the darkness. Or he's terrified by the idea that God might be creating change. But the Wise Men, these astute foreigners, brave the darkness to find God's mystery.

There's a message there, I think. The darkness so often surrounds us, but God has provided light in the person of Jesus Christ. And if we're looking for him, whatever our circumstances, we can always find our way.

So what are you looking for?

Happy New Year, my friends.