Sermon: Epiphany Star Gifts (Jan 5, 2020)

Epiphany A

Matthew 2:1-12

January 5, 2020

INTRODUCTION

         I had planned what I was going to say on this Sunday, on which we are celebrating Epiphany, for two months. Stuff about God made manifest (that’s what “epiphany” means in this case), about the ways we see God in the world still, about how in God’s revelation to the magi we see how Jesus is for all people, Jews and Gentiles alike… lovely things like that.

         And then we read about a string of anti-Semitic hate crimes committed during Hanukkah, and the darkness these have brought right during Judaism’s own season of light. And then we learned about an airstrike, ordered by the US president, that killed a notoriously violent Iranian military leader – an event that may or may not bring about World War III, and we now wait to see what retaliation might look like. And did you know, by the way, that the wise men we hear about today were likely from what is modern day Iran? It all just seems like too much to ignore.

         So, I’m not going to ignore it. I am going to go ahead and preach what I had planned to preach, but I’m also going to ask for your help. By way of introduction to these texts, do this as you listen: today, Epiphany, is the day we celebrate that our “light has come.” What does that light look like in light of these dark events? Where is God’s light trying to shine through the cracks? What do these Epiphany texts show us about that? And then – tell me what you think. Send me an email, write me a note, pull me aside at coffee hour, and tell me where you see light in today’s scripture, and in today’s world. Let’s listen.

ORIGINAL INTRO:

         Tomorrow, January 6, is the day the church celebrates the festival of Epiphany, which is the day we remember what special visitors? The wise men. 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, because when these gentiles, the magi, come to see God-made-flesh in Jesus, in that encounter, we see that God’s promises are made known even to those outside of God’s chosen, the Jewish people. It shows us something important about who God is, who Jesus is: namely, that Jesus is for the whole world! That’s good stuff!

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.  

Well, we’ve made it through 12 days of Christmas. And although nobody gave the Rehbaums any maids a-milking, lords a-leaping, or drummers drumming (and for this I am grateful!), we did enjoy quite a bounty of gifts from our various relatives and loved ones. By now, of course, the gift-giving frenzy has died off, as I’m sure it has for you, too. You’ve now gotten a hang of your new device, or you’ve started and even finished your new book, and you’re finding places to put all the beautiful things you have received.

            Yet Epiphany brings up the concept of giving once again. That is in part because it is the day we celebrate the coming of the magi from the East, who traverse afar, probably from modern day Iran, bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ-child. It is their gifts, of course, to Jesus that give us biblical basis for the gifts that we give to each other during this season.

            So I could talk about giving today. Giving and generosity are wonderful things, and essential elements of the Christian life. I have preached many sermons on giving, on serving God and neighbor. It’s good stuff, giving. But the truth is, you’re pretty good at that already. There is no one here I would call selfish or constantly self-serving, and in fact this place is full of people who are more likely to over­do than under-do. You are people who love to serve, love to give your time, talents and treasures, love to minister to the world.

            So instead, today I’d like to talk about receiving. The word “epiphany,” as I mentioned, means, “manifestation.” It is the day we celebrate God being made manifest, visible, to the Gentiles – meaning in this case the magi. The day God and God’s saving works became manifest or known to people outside the Jewish community. Or, you could say, it is the day we celebrate not the gifts we give, but rather, the gifts that God gives to the whole world, that we receive.

            Those gifts, of course, are too many to name – yet we do still find a way to overlook them. The concrete ones are easy: family, friends, shelter, etc. But when I say gifts, I mean something more abstract, gifts that God through Christ has given us, ways that God is made manifest among us in our personal lives and in our relationships with others. Things like forgiveness, grace, peace, generosity, truth, prayer, mercy, fellowship…. You get the idea.

            We know those things are out there, and we may, in our more aware and spiritually inspired moments, recognize them as gifts of God. But if you’re anything like me, you don’t spend nearly enough time noticing them and really dwelling on them.

            And so I wanted to try something with you today, and this year, something I hope will become an Epiphany tradition. It’s called “Star Gifts.” It is based on the idea that before they offered their own gifts, the magi first received from God the gift of the Christ-child. And indeed, this is always God’s pattern: first God gives to us, and then we respond by giving ourselves to God. And so now, we will first receive [invite ushers forward]. As I explain this, the ushers will pass around the offering plates, but instead of putting something into it, as we’re accustomed, you will receive something from it: a star with a gift written on it. Don’t look first – just reach in and grab! Take this star home with you and put it in a place where you see it regularly – perhaps on your dashboard, your fridge, your computer screen, or your bathroom mirror.

            [Pause to hear what some of the words are that people have drawn.]

            The next part of the activity takes all year long. Throughout the Christmas story, we are told that “Mary pondered these things in her heart,” and that is what I am asking you to do with your star gift. Ponder it in your heart this year, when you see it in the morning or on your drive to work. Look up the meaning in the dictionary. Find where it occurs in the Bible. See how that gift from God plays out in your daily life. Allow this word to speak to you in the particular place that you are in your life and in your faith.

            Maybe you’re looking at this word now and thinking, “I can’t imagine how I’m going to see this in my life,” or maybe you are thinking of ways you already do see it. I heard of one pastor who did this with her congregation, and she drew the word “time” just before she left for sabbatical, so she reflected that year on what a gift it was to have that time for spiritual renewal and development. Another year, that same pastor drew “faith.” Her congregation chuckled, saying that it seemed ironic that the pastor should need to draw the gift of faith! But then, that year turned out to be an incredibly trying one, where her own faith and that of her congregation really suffered after some tragic events. It was a year she needed to remember that faith is a gift to be held onto, especially in trying times. You never know how God’s gifts might need to be noticed.

            The last part of this activity is based on the idea that receiving leads to giving. Throughout the year, I may remind you to think about your star gift, and how God has been manifest through it in your life, maybe as something you are living into yourself or maybe as something you are seeing in someone else. On Epiphany next year, we will do this again, but I’m going to talk less – instead, I want to hear about your experience. This is a year where we as a synod are encouraged, as a part of our 5-year strategic plan, to focus on “Growing in our witness,” and so this will be an opportunity for you to do just that – to notice and then to witness how God is manifest in your life.

            Like any gift, I am aware that some of these star gifts may be discarded. They may end up crumbled at the bottom of your purse, or lost under a car seat, just like we sometimes crumble and discard the gift of grace that God offers us, or lose sight of the light that Christ brings. I’m as guilty of disregarding God’s gifts as the next person! One year I did this and drew the gift of perseverance. I promptly lost the star… and then found it a couple years later in the bottom of my purse, crumbled, but still legible. Perseverance, indeed! We have a funny God!

            I know that some of yours will get lost or discarded… but I still want to try it. As humans, we yearn for tangible, clear signs of God’s presence, most especially in times like these, when the world can seem so very dark and fearful. But too often we are so overwhelmed by life that we fail to see those signs even when they are right in front of us. This is meant to be a way to 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 that darkness. My prayer for this congregation this year, and for each member thereof, is that we would be reminded at every turn of our generous, giving God, who continues to give to us whether we are ready to receive or not, the gifts of grace, love, forgiveness, and everlasting life.

            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: for those of you reading at home, here is a list of star gifts. Choose one for yourself, and try it! If you are a St. Paul's member reading this, we have more stars in the back of the sanctuary - grab one for yourself whenever you are there.

kindness

caring

sharing

giving

compassion

love

openness

pardon

understanding

discipleship

servanthood

stability

hopefulness

innocence prayerfulness

praise

gentleness

knowledge

happiness

laughter

acceptance

self-control

restraint

mercy

truth

peace

faith

consideration

fellowship

unity

teaching

singing

celebration

perseverance

judgment

discipline

courage

confidence

clarity

honor

contentment

imagination

commitment

friendship

freedom

creativity

devotion

joy

strength

comfort

leadership

discernment

obedience

thoughtfulness

responsibility

patience

forgiveness

humility

faithfulness

hope

tenderness

enthusiasm

evangelism

healing

loyalty

rejoicing

respect

insight

selflessness

righteousness

assurance

justice

honesty

wisdom

awareness

tolerance

wholeness

guidance

hospitality

foresight

trust

learning

proclamation

encouragement

trustworthiness

inspiration

wonder

flexibility

grace

graciousness

integrity

helping

witnessing

generosity

perceptiveness

purity

prayer

service

steadfastness

determination

nurturing

renewal

purpose

peacefulness

power

excitement

harmony

reliability

goodness

reverence

serenity

humor

boldness

genuineness

illumination

vision

dependability endurance

listening

accountability

speaking

sincerity

writing

music

motivation

art

building

crafts

planning

organization

drama

cheerfulness

focus

balance

helpfulness

languages

cooking

sympathy

empathy

sensitivity

time

conviction

delight

responsiveness

education

intelligence

experience

visitation

sobriety

spirituality

travel

thankfulness

money

dignity

quietness

playfulness

dedication

empathy

solitude

zeal

appreciation

affirmation

charity