Sermon January 3, 2010 Mt. 2:1-12, John 1:10-18

The Magi were magicians, maybe sorcerers, maybe astrologers. We get our word-magical-from their name. Unlike magicians who keep their tricks secret, they shared their gifts. We crave magic still-delight in the tricks. We picture them a kings, of differing ethnicity,due to conflating Ps.72 and Is 60, and that's where we get the camels in the manger scenes as well.. The were connected to power, but they did not hold power. they are looking for new power, the King of the Jews, a title which will be on the cross for the baby one day. they may think they are paying homage, but for Matthew it can also mean worship. Stars associated with rulers and Num. (24:17) star out of Jacob's (region of the sky) applied to a later Messianic claimant. They are filled with joy at their discovery. all of the gifts are expensive, with a variety of meanings. God works with anyone, poor shepherds or elegant magicians, and folds them into the story of restoration and redemption.

 

We find irony in the  God of Israel using pagan gifts. Who are we to tell God how to work? Right away, in the story of Jesus, God moves outward toward the world. Right away, even though they are mistaken, they become instruments, maybe unwitting, of the spread of the gospel. After all, their misunderstanding is superior to people who could have understood more clear about the in-breaking, the revelation, the shining light, of the new way of God in the world- if only they had eyes to see the light. Of course we have the murderous irony of Herod asking an innocent question with murder in his heart. These gentiles act on a dream, just as Joseph did and will again in the next scene. The darkness is ever-present threat. God works in the midst of real life, and God can use mistakes to work toward a vision for the world. God responds to success or failure in seeing the divine will reflected in daily life. I was speaking with someone convinced that if they don't find the exact right answer, then god will punish them. We find God's will exactly, in their view. No, in spite of our decisions, God's will is at work; sometimes in spite of our decisions and sometimes right along with them.

 

Logos means an idea, reason, plan, vision, logic. It is visible only in the humanity of Jesus.

Gift theology is a hot topic of late, and the gifts we give or receive can be gospel, good news for each other.  Some of the work done on theology and gift insists that it builds a bond between the giver and receiver. We rarely passively receive a gift without creating some feeling of loyalty to the giver.The gift of God through humanity was Jesus, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 says the Word, god's vision, dwelt among us. It may be related to the Hebrew word, shakan.that means tented, lived in. The Christmas season is always a good time to consider what we mean by this. God is at home here with us, in us, not outside of our condition as a passive observer, but actively engaged in our happiness and our struggles.

 

Sometimes the truth is right in front of us and we aren't able to see it. That's why light is such a powerful spiritual symbol. The fancier word for the visit of the Magi is -epiphany- to shine around; God's light was starting to reach the outer reaches of the known world. In Christmas hymns, we just sang of the sun of righteousness from Malachi. We picture a light bulb as an idea, as we move from darkness of unknowing or confusion to an insight.

 

May this dawn of a New Year shine brightly for us in hope. May our eyes be opened to see the best way to proceed. No matter our path, God is with us through our decisions, whether we are shepherds or Magi.