The Magi

 

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Keeping the Mystery of the Magi

 Many years ago, when my children were young and WAY before the Elf on the Shelf, we had the mystery of the Wise Men (Magi) starting at some far point of the family room working their way closer and closer to the Nativity.  They would start on the books shelves, go to the mantel, then to the table and finally to the entertainment center where the Manger Scene was.

 It isn't easy keeping Christmas focused on the Birth of Jesus with children.  The success of Elf on a Shelf proves how much children like the mystery of the holiday.  Maybe once your Elf goes back to the North Pole, your family can focus on the mystery of Jesus's birth and the Magi by having them move each day getting closer and closer to their destination.

There are many traditions which focus on the Epiphany:  share some of the traditions from other countries with your children and grandchildren.  Click here.

Matthew 2:1-12

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Visit of the Magi

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, [a]magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the [b]Messiah was to be born.5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written [c]by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them [d]the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they [e]fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Moments of Memories

Sharing memories and coffee

with friends:

not like a satiated feeling

after a full dinner. . .

But, more like dessert—

light and sweet and delectable.

Sharing laughter and stories

of our younger selves:

out-running the cops,

go-go dancing in discos,

walking along a wooded path, or

seeing a moose in New England.

Memories of our younger selves

Shared with hesitation and joy.

Getting to know each other like

flowers slowly blooming

Petal by petal: 

opening up our past,

with just a hint of our essence.

Memories of joy 

with coffee and friends

at McCrite.

Shepherds and Kings

 

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Shepherds

Shepherds and Kings

"8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." (Luke 2: 8-14)

While pondering the life of a shepherd and remembering a sheep dog trial we once attended in Wales, I realized how much of the birth of Jesus involves the shepherds---not the Three Kings with their treasures, but the shepherds.

The shepherds were minding their flocks when an angel appeared to them (not to the innkeeper, not the kings, not Herod, but shepherds).  Those simple shepherds didn't question what they saw or heard, but immediately headed to Bethlehem. They responded with faith and were the first to see the newborn child.

Those migrant shepherds who moved around the hills with their flocks also began spreading the good news of Jesus's birth: "All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them."  Again, these were not the people in power or the people with wealth, but simple shepherds to whom everyone listened and were amazed.  

As a contrast, no angels appeared to the three kings: they followed a star.  When they reported to Herod, why they were going to Bethlehem, Herod began plotting to kill them and to kill the child.  So while the shepherds announcement brought hope to the people, the kings brought fear and destruction with their announcement.

Although called "King of the Jews", Jesus preferred to be called the shepherd.   The simple, constantly migrating shepherd, not the king, is what he identified him.

John 10:14-16 New International Version (NIV)14 :“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

From the beginning of Christ's story, Christianity was a "grass roots movement" among the poor, the marginalized, the enslaved---even beginning with Jesus's birth.  We are forgetting the "roots" of our religion when we forget about the simple, the poor, the migrant and the value they bring compared to the kings with all of their power and wealth.  The spreading of the Word began with the shepherds. 

Waiting

 

Friday, December 15, 2017

Waiting

The girls stood up to sing their part in the St. Mark Christmas program, and for just a moment their glittering halos, sparkling wings and glowing faces made them seem angelic---even to  those of us who knew them so well.

Our daughter Rebecca walked to the pulpit, climbed the step and began "Fear not, for I bring you great tidings of joy. . ."  As her mother,  I was chewing my nails worried that she'd forget her lines. 

Just as she stepped down to return to her seat and I was beginning to relax, my mother turned to me, "She got the role I always wanted.  Every year I wanted to be the angel that said that and every year I was a Chinaman (we represented different countries).  I waited for two generations but tonight, at last, my granddaughter was the angel."  Mother had waited 55 years for that Christmas miracle.

Rebecca and Mom 1985

Christmas and waiting seem to go together---waiting for Santa, waiting in line at the store, waiting to wear new Christmas clothes, waiting to open presents and waiting to see your granddaughter as an angel in the Christmas program.

Dear God
During this busy season as we wait with impatience, help us to recall the generations who waited for the birth of the Messiah.  Amen

Luke 2:10-11King James Version (KJV)10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

No Joy in Advent

 I’ve felt loss at Christmas:

my grandmother, Dave’s parents

my mother, and now Dave.

I could be happy but joy? seldom.

I could be happy to be with family,

Happy the Christmas blogs were ready,

Happy we made it home safely

After driving through an ice storm,

But not joy.

I struggled through Christmas parties

And even large family gatherings.

Putting on my smiling face, 

Tryiing to capture others’ joy

with hugs.

But I couldn’t find Joy.

I struggled trying to decorate for Christmas.

First the Nativity:  Dad made the manger;

Mom made the ceramic figures.

Next, came Christmas cards,

Writing humorous letters.

Trying to find Joy.

I  bought gifts for everyone, 

First, going into crowds, 

standing in lines at the stores

Then, ordering by catalgue

But, finally giving up and 

writing checks

Singing Christmas carols in a choir,

Watching faces light up upon 

Unwrapping gifts,

Sitting in a chair in the library,

Watching the fireplace by the ight of a tree,

Still no Joy.

Hanging our two Christmas stockings

A cherished gift from Mom.

I cried.

Maybe joy is asking too much.

An unattainable goal,

An emotion of childhood.

If there’s no Joy, 

What is there?

I’m surrounded by Love and

I can Hope that the new year will 

Bring me Peace.

But Joy is a lonely pink candle

Waiting to be lit.