The magical story of the wondrous star in the eastern sky and the journey of the magi or kings from far away lands to the humble manger in Bethlehem is the centerpiece of the Feast of the Epiphany which we celebrate on January 6. It seems to be scripture’s way of telling the world that the birth of Jesus is a cosmic event with far wider importance than simply for Jews. It is for all people, for all times. The magi, of course, like you and like me, were foreigners. They don’t belong in the story. Wonder with me what they’re doing there, showing up late on this second Sunday after Christmas, just when we’re ready to pack up the holiday decorations and get on with the new year.
It is the star that gets the attention of these strangers. The bible actually does not tell us how many of them there were. We assume three because three gifts are named. They are royal gifts traditionally interpreted as gold for the king, incense for God, and myrrh for the One who is to die. Myrrh is the resin of an Arabian shrub that produces a pleasant aroma used to anoint the dead.
The American poet Longfellow gave these three visitors names: Melchoir, Gaspar, and Balthasar, and hundreds of artists have painted the scene. But, in truth, we don’t know very much about them. We don’t know where they came from and we don’t know how long it took them to reach Bethlehem. And scientists, actually, have quite a few questions and doubts about that star in the sky.
But it’s not the facts that really matter, is it? Stories can be true whether they happen or not and the truth of this story is that something beyond themselves was calling the wise men and it was a tug they had been waiting for all of their lives and could not ignore.
There are many surprises in the story and surely one of them is the faith of the magi themselves. They leave their homes, their families, their friends, their occupations; they leave everything familiar and comfortable and valuable to follow where God leads. Like those of us here this morning those foreigners travel from afar searching for what is missing from their lives. They are obviously rich in worldly goods, but what is it they lack and so desperately need that they will leave behind all they know and all they have to undertake a long, arduous, risky, and potentially dangerous journey?
So as we begin this new year it might be worth our time to stop and wonder what star we are following. What is lacking in your life and what do you need to do to find it? Where is God leading you?
Another surprise in the story is the wise men’s dream. Remember that they had been ordered by King Herod to return to him and report where the holy child is to be found. But God warns them in a dream not to do that and they listen to that inner authority. They defy the law and return to their own countries by another way. Their bravery is a surprise. They break the rules for the sake of obeying a higher power.
And finally, it is a surprise that they leave at all. But, like us, they can’t stay in that place of perfect peace. Like us, the magi need to take what they have seen and heard, the joy and love they have found, back to their own world. How will that visit to the manger in Bethlehem have changed them? How will their lives be different for having seen the Christ Child? Will it make any difference in our lives that we, too, have worshipped here? Will it make any difference in the world?
We, too, start where we are, not being sure where we’re going, not being certain how long it will take us to get there. But in this new year of 2014 we, too, are offered the chance to step out in faith and let God lead us to unexpected places and unfamiliar experiences. Like those storied wise men you will have to forgo what is familiar and comfortable; like them you will face danger. But if like them you know you are embarking on a journey of faith, then go with confidence that you, too, are following a star.