Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I’ve never lived anywhere where there wasn’t light pollution. I’ve never really travelled either to gaze up at the stars though I’ve heard of many who have and say it’s an incredible experience. Now, we know that before the invention of the lightbulb, people regularly gazed at the night sky. Seafarers used the night sky to navigate, so too did those who traveled by land. 

While we may no longer use the stars for navigation, we understand their benefit to us. We count on our star, the sun, to give us light and warmth. The stars light up the night sky also. Without the stars and the moon, we wouldn’t be able to see at night. Rather, the darkness of the night would overwhelm us. 

This week, we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord. This is when the wise men travelled from afar, guided by a star. They come to Jerusalem and say, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him,” Matthew 2:2. The Magi, or wise men, were nobles of another country. They were likely also astronomers, paying attention to the stars in the night sky. Many believed that the stars offered special messages that needed to be heard. 

Consider the picture of Epiphany. All the world is shrouded in the darkness of night. And this darkness is a symbol of the darkness within each one of us who by sin have shrouded our eyes from the light of God. Like Herod, we look only to our own interests and holding onto our own power. In darkness, we become blind to the needs and cares of our neighbors. 

Into this darkness though, a new light has shown. A star has revealed a light that shines into the deepest darkness. This is what the wise men found. A star revealed to them that a new king had been born. Jesus was the one born King of the Jews. But he wasn’t born for only Jews, otherwise these Gentile wise men never would have come. “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh,” Matthew 2:11. The revelation of Epiphany is that Jesus is born, not just for Israel, but as King of the world! He’s the one who heaven declares by a star to be Lord over all. For Jesus comes to reign over his kingdom by the light of his glory. And this glory isn’t the glory of kings, but the glory of the cross! Jesus would show his true kingship by offering up his life for the life of the world so that his kingdom may come to us! Thus, as Jew and Gentile alike, let us come before him, offering our gifts at his feet, and worship the one born as our King!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!