Epiphany Star Gifts (2021)

 Epiphany (Star Gifts)

January 3, 2021

Matthew 2:1-21

 

INTRODUCTION

         This week, January 6, is the day the church celebrates the festival of Epiphany, which is the day we remember the magi’s visit to baby Jesus. It is a day we think about stars, and light, and camels, and kings, and the strange gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. We will see all of these things in our readings this morning. Isaiah will mention camels and kings and two of the three gifts brought by the magi. The Psalm mentions how “kings will bow down before him.” And Paul’s letter to the Ephesians will talk about how the mystery of God is made known to the Gentiles, the nations, the non-Jews – which of course, the magi were. That’s remarkable, not so much because they were royalty or sages (though that is cool, too), but rather, because they are not Jewish. Until now, God’s story of salvation was for the Jews, God’s chosen people. But in this story we see that Jesus is for the whole world! As God had promised to Abraham all those years ago, God would bring, from the descendants of Abraham, a blessing for the whole world. And ta-da! Here he is! Even Gentiles like the magi come to be a part of it.

But really, the overall theme of Epiphany is exactly what it is named for: epiphany! It is a word that means, “manifestation,” and it is a day when we think about how God has been made manifest, first to Mary and Joseph and the shepherds, and then even to those outside of the Jewish community… and now still to us. So, as you listen to these texts, notice all the ways they describe God being made manifest, apparent, visible to those from long ago, and consider some of the ways God is still made visible and manifest to us today. Let’s listen.

[READ]

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

If you were at worship last year on Epiphany, you will remember that as a part of the sermon we passed out “star gifts.” This was an exercise in living out the promise of Epiphany – a day on which we celebrate the manifestation of God in our lives. Often we remember on Epiphany the gifts the magi gave, but before they gave those gifts, the magi had first received – received the gift of God through Christ. Their giving was in gratitude and praise of that gift they received.

 Still today, we receive all kinds of gifts from God – our family, friends, homes, etc., and even more abundantly, we receive abstract gifts like love, forgiveness, mercy, prayer, peace, truth… 

            Boy, when have we needed a specific reason to notice these gifts more than in 2020! And that’s the key, really – not just “knowing” they are there, but really noticing them. That can be a challenge even in the best of circumstances (not because they aren’t there, but because we ignore them, or misunderstand them, or we let all the negative stuff overshadow them). But in a year where the bed news kept coming – that is when it is even more important to notice those gifts!

So I’m glad we started in 2020 the tradition of Star Gifts, in which each person received a paper star with a gift written on it, and then the charge to consider for the upcoming year how God has been and is being made manifest in this gift. It was not a charge to use that gift, necessarily, though you certainly may have. Rather, you were asked to notice how you have already received it, how God has already been made known through it, and how God continues to be made known through it in our daily lives. And, last year I warned you that I would ask you to share some of your reflections today with the congregation. A few folks (including myself) were happy to share, and have sent in videos, so I turn this now over to them!

   

            As humans, we yearn for tangible, clear signs of God’s presence. But so often we are so overwhelmed by life that we fail to see those signs even when they are right in front of us. My hope is that this exercise has and will continue to help focus your awareness of God’s gifts in your life.

Epiphany is a time to celebrate God’s presence breaking into the darkness and chaos of life, and shining as a light in the darkness. My prayer for us this year is that we would be reminded at every turn of our generous, giving God.

            Let us pray… Gracious God, we give you thanks for your many gifts. Help us to notice and not to ignore, to embrace and not to disregard, and in this effort, to become ever closer to you. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Note: if you want a star gift, let me know, and I'll prayerfully draw one for you and send you either a picture, or the physical star if you prefer.