wise men from the East

Good morning brothers and sisters,

Today we hear the story of the Epiphany, or revelation of Jesus, because today is Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. In the European American community Epiphany isn't usually very important, but in the Latino community it really is. It's common to see parades and celebrations in Latino neighborhoods to celebrate the arrival of the three wise men or three kings. I guess the compelling part of this story is that the birth of the Messiah isn't just important for Jewish people; it's important for the whole world. It's also exciting that these three important men from far away come to a stable in a small town to honor the baby Jesus. It's beautiful too that Matthew tells us the wise men were, "Overwhelmed with joy," when they saw the star come to rest over the stable.


Herod, on the other hand, is not overwhelmed with joy. Early on in this story we get a hint that Jesus is not going to be welcomed by the powerful of the world. After all, Herod is (by virtue of a deal with Rome) King of the Jews. It's no surprise then that the announcement by these strangers of the birth of the king of the Jews would make him afraid. Herod plays it cool, hoping the wise men will find his rival for him, but since they are wise, they listen to their dreams and steer clear of Herod. What new hope is being born for us today? Can we hope that God is bringing about a new peace in Sudan? We can certainly pray with our brothers and sisters at First Pres. Caledonia at 6 pm tonight that the star of God's peace would shine more brightly. And God may be bringing to life a new spark in each of us as well.


God bless,

Sam


Matthew 2:1-12

1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, "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." 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6'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.'"


7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then 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." 9When 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. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On 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. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

kings shall come

Good morning friends (it's morning in California anyway),
First I want to remind you of an important worship opportunity in our presbytery. On Thursday, January 6 at 6 pm First Presbyterian Church of Caledonia (3080 main Street Caledonia 14423) is hosting a prayer vigil for the people of Sudan. The struggles of the people of Darfur have been in the news in the last couple of years, but the southern section of the nation has faced amazing hardship and oppression as well. As part of a ceasefire agreement ending (or maybe only pausing) the civil war between northern and southern Sudan, the nation is holding a referendum vote on independence for the southern part of the country. There is a great deal at stake here, and apart from the political complexities involved we are called to hold our Sudanese brothers and sisters in prayer.

Like the prayer vigil, our reading for today comes from the lectionary readings for Epiphany (Thursday). Epiphany is when we celebrate the arrival of the three wise men to worship Jesus. Our reading for today looks to Isaiah's prophecy of renewal for Israel. That renewal of faithfulness doesn't just mean freedom for Israel but also light from God for the whole world. That new light of God's love for the world has always been part of God's plan, and it comes to fruition in Christ. The wise men from the east symbolize this because they come from a far away land and recognize that God is doing a new thing in the birth of Christ. May the nations continue to see and recognize the light of God's peace, and may that peace grow strong in each of us.

God bless,
Sam

Isaiah 60:1-6

1Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. 5Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.