A Journey to the Light

St. Paul’s Church in Bergen, Jersey City

January 6, 2014

Year A: The Epiphany

Isaiah 60:1-6

Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

Ephesians 3:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12

A Journey to the Light

            For twelve days we’ve celebrated Christmas – the great feast when we remember and celebrate the arrival of the light of Christ into the world.

            Christmas is when we give thanks for the birth of Jesus – we give thanks for God coming into the world in a new, unexpected and unique way.

            The light of the world enters the world born to a couple of nobodies in an out of the way place in primitive conditions.

            The light of the world enters the world – and despite trying really hard – the darkness is never – will never be – able to overcome it.

            Now, today on Epiphany we remember and celebrate the arrival of the Magi, the wise men. It’s a story found only in the Gospel of Matthew. And Matthew tells us very little about them. We’re told they come from the East, following a star that they have observed. They have somehow concluded that this star shining in the sky indicates that a new king – a new king of the Jews – has been born.

            We’re not told how many wise men there were, though the assumption is three based on their three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  The gifts themselves are powerfully symbolic: gold for a king; incense for a God; myrrh (used for embalming) a symbol of death.

            We’re certainly not told their names, though later tradition calls them Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar.

            We’re not told much about the wise men from the East, but we are told everything we need to know.

            Because, of course, Epiphany is not really about the mysterious visitors from the East, as much as we love the story and include them in our nativity scenes.

            Traditionally, Epiphany has symbolized the fact that Christ has come into the world for the whole world, for Jews and Gentiles. This is important, of course, and definitely worth celebrating, but all of us Gentiles may just shrug and say, “OK, great. But, of course I know that.”

            But, more than the Magi and the inclusion of the Gentiles, more than anything else, Epiphany is about the light.

            Epiphany is about the light that Isaiah prophesied long ago,

            “Arise, shine, for your light has come,

            and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”

            Epiphany is about the light that is symbolized by the star. Epiphany is about the light that enters the world in Jesus Christ.

            Now sometimes that light just about shines right in our faces. Think about St. Paul literally blinded for a time by the light on the road to Damascus – blinded by the light that turned his life around in a totally different direction.

            Sometimes we can’t miss the light, like when we gaze at our newborn child, or when we fall in love, or when we hold the hand of one who is sick or dying.

            But, more often, we have to pay attention to find the light, to see the light.

            Here in Jersey City, sometimes it’s hard to see the light, isn’t it? In fact, here in the city it’s literally hard to see the stars isn’t it?

            But, have you ever been in a place where the sky is free and clear of artificial light? Have you ever been able to look up and get a sense of the vastness of space and the innumerable stars in the sky?

            Well, that’s how it was in the ancient world. The night sky was filled with stars.

            Often in art the star is depicted as being so huge that there’s no way anyone could have missed it. But, I don’t think that was the case at all.

            No, I bet the Magi must have studied the heavens very carefully – must have really paid attention - in order to see the light of the new star.

            Well, now our night skies are clouded and dimmed and in the modern world we have plenty of other distractions that prevent us from seeing the light.

            We’re prevented from seeing the light by the busyness of our lives, by all the noise and endless distractions, by the weight of our responsibilities, by the regrets about the past and the fears of the future.

            Yet, when we’re like the Magi, when we pay attention, sure enough we find the light.

            We find the light in the overflowing generosity and countless kindnesses that are going on all around us. We find the light when someone unexpectedly visits a sick neighbor or friend, or gives a call just to check in on someone who is struggling. We find the light in bins overflowing with food for the poor and hungry. We find the light when prayers are offered for enemies, for the hated and despised. We find the light when people give up their anger and reach out their hands in forgiveness. We find the light in the water of Baptism and in the breaking of the bread and in the cup poured out for us.

            Like the Magi, when we really pay attention we find the light.

            When we pay attention we find the light of Christ.

            Which leaves us with really only one question:

            What do we do when we find the light?

            We can ignore it. We can turn away and look somewhere else. We can reject the light.

            Or, like the Magi long ago, we can – all of us together right here at St. Paul’s - set out on a journey to the light – a journey to the light of Christ that shines in the darkness.

            We already have a Caspar, so, I say, let’s go.

            A blessed Epiphany to us all.

            Amen.