Magi...
Guests, these wise men. Wisdom not academics, but in seeing and understanding - Gift of focus
Unlike cultural input, Biblically little known about them:
We don't know: how many showed up,
how large an entourage,
how long it took them to get there. All we know, biblically, is that they showed up.
They showed up, they chatted with Herod, asked for directions, and said that had gotten there from having Observed his star at its rising.
Saw star; started journey
Maybe: came together, met up along the way.
But they followed the star. For years - they come to the house (not the manger scene at the inn); they come to see the child (not the infant).
But - they came. Big part of life is just showing up!
Following a star. Amazing, in and of itself.
We see physical, astronomical stars. The star seen by the magi - well, that was clearly more than a normal star.
Took deep wisdom for them, of different homelands, traditions, even religions…
YET wise enough to follow that mystical star. And that's the beauty of the magi, as theologians Borg and Crossan articulate in their book THE FIRST CHRISTMAS:
"the word refers to a kind of religious figure: magi had wisdom by being in touch with another reality. ... magi were people with a more than earthly wisdom."
That more-than-earthly gave them:
Gift of discernment - Awareness - Interpretation
Knowing something different and important was happening
So much so that an otherworldly sign appeared, and stated, and led – Guided -
Directed – Revealed that glorious light that had been prophesied.
Spirit shone through the star in ways that help, giving
Meaning – Inspiration - Call to change
Maybe they listened to the Spirit right from the start, maybe it took them a while. Maybe they wanted to go to Bethlehem, maybe they wanted to just stay home, where they were comfortable. Journey was unknown duration, length, danger, &c
But here's the thing about the Spirit - she's determined, she's persistent, and she's fiesty. When the Spirit wants you to know something, you will know it. It's just how she works.
And the star was to be known; the magi were to be involved.
Without the magi, Christmas story is very different… Spirit made sure it happened exactly as it should
And the great thing about the Spirit is this:
Not speaking to a few like the magi - she speaks to us all.
Not just biblical times/places; continues to speak to us today, wherever we are.
Inviting us all to recognise when something is being stirred up within us,
Calling - Empowering - Inviting - Inspiring
Guiding… leading… shining a light on our path.
This morning, share in that.
Star words…
To be picked at random.
Kept for the year. In a place that we can see
As a suggestion - Opportunity for Reflection.
to trust the word as offering guidance for their life in the coming year.
To see the glory of the Lord shining in, around, and through our lives.
Always leading, always showing light.
We don’t have to be the magi to be guided by God’s words and ways
We can all listen to the promise and possibility of what’s here, and what’s coming.
May your word bring you closer to God…
ever closer to that child that changed the world,
in ways that embrace your gifts,
enlighten your hearts,
and encourage your journey with god.
