Sermon Series: The Bit Parts of the Christmas Story - "The Magi: Seeking the Gift"

The Magi: Seeking the Gift
Matthew 2: 1-12
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
January 6, 2019
Epiphany Sunday

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.

When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. - Matthew 2: 1-12

For many, the celebration of Christmas is over the day after December 25. All of the gifts have been opened and the floor is covered by a sea of colorful trimmings. However, Christmas is not just a day; it is a season of celebrating for twelve days.

Today is the twelfth day of Christmas, the day we call Epiphany Sunday. That word “Epiphany” means “to reveal.” Today we celebrate the “bright dawning of God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ” [1].

Therefore, we have one more bit part of our Christmas story; one more figure in the nativity scene that begs our attention before we take down the Chrismon tree and put all the decorations away.

After Jesus was born in Matthew’s Gospel, the first ones to attend to the Prince of Peace were the unlikely ones – the magi. They were not kings or authorities in the Jewish tradition, but astrologers from the East.

My commentary says that in the culture of their day, “the birth of a new ruler was associated with astral phenomena;” the stars would line up just right [2]. Hearing the news of Jesus’ miraculous birth and seeing the star with royal beauty bright, the magi traveled westward to honor the new king with gifts.

What is so very important to remember about the closing of the Christmas story is that God gave the best of all gifts first; the gift of God’s self-revealing love. The magi were filled with wonder and curiosity about this thing that God had done and so they went out seeking the gift and it completely reinterpreted their lives.

The magi’s worldview significantly changed as they responded by bringing gifts to worship the Christ Child. No longer worshipping the gods of the stars, their hearts and minds were turned to worship the creative love of God in Emmanuel, for God is with us.

The gifts which the magi brought to Bethlehem were signs of their new worldview, for they did not bring just any gifts for a new ruler. The magi brought gold to crown the Christ Child as the King of the Jews; the oil of Frankincense to worship the Son of God; and the oil of myrrh which would be used to anoint prophets, priests, and kings. It would also be used to embalm Jesus after his saving death. The magi not only brought gifts that were priceless, they were gifts that signified that Christ alone is worthy of praise.

Epiphany invites each of us to seek the gift that still changes the world. The gift of Emmanuel challenges and reinterprets our lives through the gospel.

In times of despair we have hope that the brokenness of humanity and the groaning of creation is redeemed through Jesus Christ sacrificial love (Romans 8: 24-25).

In the midst of the world’s turmoil Holy Spirit breathes God’s peace into our hearts because the risen Christ has already conquered the world (John 16:33).

In our greatest sorrows we keep the Lord ever before us and we will not be moved because the joy of the Lord is our strength (Psalm 16: 8; Nehemiah 8:10).

In those moments when we are insecure and question where we belong, God’s love claims us, calls us by name and says we belong to God (Isaiah 43:1; Psalm 100:3).

Today we stand in the threshold of a new year. The mysterious and creative love of God goes ahead of us to make all things new. Instead of making a New Year’s resolution, Epiphany offers a spiritual practice of prayerful reflection in this new year with a star gift. His spiritual practice has been occurring in the Presbyterian Church for about 30 years.

Star gifts work like this: Every person in worship will have the opportunity to receive a paper star. Each star has a different word written on it. We each receive a random star which is facing down. You do not get to pick the word that you prefer, rather the star word chooses you. As this spiritual practice begins, we trust Holy Spirit is at work to guide you and me to our Epiphany star, just as God faithfully led the magi to Jesus by the star.

A dear friend in ministry tells me, “The word on your star may be one way God is revealing God to you - leading, guiding, and speaking into your life this year.”

My seminary colleague Rev. Kristen Stroble began the practice of star gifts three years ago. As Kristen took a star for herself, she was disappointed with her first star word – “Restraint.” She said:

I wanted to throw [my star] back. What was that word supposed to mean? RESTRAINT made me think about being held back or being bound. These words were supposed to be a gift, but this did not feel like one to me. And yet, over time the word continued to work on my heart and mind.

I started practicing RESTRAINT at church coffee hours and forgoing doughnuts. I used RESTRAINT to stop myself from getting second helpings at potlucks. RESTRAINT gave me permission to look at how unhealthy I had become and do something about it. When I began to see RESTRAINT as a gift instead of a curse, it freed me to change my eating habits without apology, to leave work earlier to exercise and to focus not just on my spiritual health but my physical health.

In my year of RESTRAINT I lost 90 pounds and, for the first time I could remember, achieved a healthy weight… Instead of making a resolution that I’ll feel guilty about a week later, I take a star word as a gift and keep my eyes open. The stars have allowed me to see God in unexpected ways and places. They’ve been challenging, life-giving and transformative.

Kristen did not realize the impact those stars would have on the church she served either. She said:

One woman in my congregation received JOY last year. Her middle name is JOY. She admits, though, that she had lost her JOY, forgotten how to live with JOY. The star word reminded her throughout the year about the gift of JOY in all circumstances of life; a JOY that comes from the simple affirmation that we belong to God.

Another member received COURAGE. She was in the midst of cancer treatments when this word was given to her. She took that paper star with her to every doctor appointment. She kept the word by her side as she entered hospice care and as she passed from this life to the next.

Susan Foster writes, “Many people keep their star gifts from year to year; gradually accumulating a virtual constellation of wise words and encouragement displayed as a reminder of God’s presence in our lives.”

I pray that as we begin this spiritual practice of star gifts that God may reveal a blessing of wisdom to you this new year. And I pray that we might enter this spiritual practice like the magi did - with curiosity and wonder - as we seek the mystery of God’s greatest gift in our lives this year.

In doing so, our lives just may be reinterpreted by the gospel because God is with us. The hope of the gospel is always to challenge, change, and transform us by God’s love.

Ann Weems bids us God’s best on this Epiphany Sunday with her poem, “Star-Giving”:

What I’d really like to give you for Christmas is a star….
Brilliance in a package, something you can keep in the pocket of your jeans or in the pocket of your being.
Something to take out in times of darkness,
something that would never snuff out or tarnish,
something that you could hold in your hand,
something for wonderment,
something for pondering,
something that would remind you of what Christmas has always meant:
God’s Advent Light into the darkness of this world.
But stars are only for God’s giving,
And I must be content to give you words and wishes and packages without stars.
But I can wish you life as radiant as a star that announced the Christ Child’s coming, and as filled with awe as the shepherds [and magi] who stood beneath its light.
And I can pass on to you the love that has been given to me,
ignited countless times by others who have knelt in Bethlehem’s light.
Perhaps, if you ask, God will give you a star [3]

In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Sources Referenced:

[1] The Book of Common Worship (Louisville, Westminster John Knox Press, 2018), p. 203.
[2] New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, “The Gospel of Matthew: Volume VII” (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2015), p. 77.
[3] Ann Weems, “Kneeling in Bethlehem” (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1987), p. 71.