A Light for All People
Epiphany Sunday, January 4, 2009
Scripture: Isaiah 60: 1-6 and Matthew 2: 2-12
Oh, star of wonder, star of night; guide us to thy perfect light.
Epiphany—a revelation, a manifestation of Divine Presence right in the midst of ordinary life! In the church year, Epiphany is twelve days after Christmas, January 6. Epiphany celebrates the visit to Jesus of the wise men from the East, often called the three kings or the Magi. The Greek word for the Magi really has nothing to do with kings “but designates a priestly class of Persian or Babylonian experts in the occult, such as astrology and the interpretation of dreams.” (New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. 7, p. 140)
In Isaiah we have a prediction of camels from the East bringing gold and frankincense and praising the Lord. That scripture opens with a resounding call, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” The next verse describes thick darkness covering the earth and all its peoples, but then the light of the Lord shines forth, bringing all nations to the brightness of dawn. Epiphany is also used as a word referring to a sudden brightness that lights up our mind, gives us insights we never had before. It is definitely a gift. It may be something that comes to an individual or to whole community. It is like the bright light shining in the darkness. Light attracts, brings people together.
In the world of Isaiah there had been a number of prophecies, known to religious and pagans alike, about the possibility of a promised King. There was a belief that a special star would be the sign of the birth of this special person. Since the wise men were astrologers, it would be common for them to study the sky for signs of extraordinary events.
Today let’s look at the journey of the wise men to see what we can learn from it that might apply to us spreading the light in our world today. In the Gospel of Matthew we are given a time and place for this story. It was in Bethlehem of Judea in the time of King Herod, this King Herod ruled from 37-4 BCE. Now Herod was considered the King of the Jews so when he heard that another “King” had been born. He was indeed threatened. And the inquirers were not local folks but were from far away, from the East. They would be considered pagans or Gentiles as opposed to Jews, yet here they were, having come a very long distance to pay homage, to worship this King of the Jews. The fact that these wise men were from another nation and another religion, establishes in my mind how Jesus was for all people, all nations, all races, and so forth right from the very beginning. To reinforce that belief, we have the story in Luke where it is the Jewish shepherds in the fields around Bethlehem to whom the angels appear. The angels say, I am bringing you good news of great joy for ALL the people; to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (2:10-11) These shepherds are as poor as the Magi are rich. Jesus is for all, rich or poor. Through God’s grace in the birth of Jesus, the dividing wall was broken down to create one new human family, all loved by God.
By now most of you know that I believe that God wants us all to be part of a loving, inclusive community. Most of us Christians have been taught that Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Light—so far so good. For me, Jesus is definitely the way, the truth, and the light; however, I do not interpret the Bible literally as do our Fundamentalist and Evangelical brothers and sisters, who believe that only those that accept Jesus as their personal Savior will be saved and have eternal life as part of God’s family. Some of you have heard me express my affinity to Progressive Christianity, which talks about Jesus being the “Gate” to the realm of God for us as Christians, yet also recognizing the faithfulness of others who may use different names for the gateway to God’s realm. I believe it’s crucial that in our enthusiasm for including all people in God’s family and in our common life that we do not impose on them the necessity of becoming like us. Saying all of this brings me back to my sermon title of Jesus being the light for all people. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, young or old, gay or straight, Asian or African, Middle Eastern or American, the teachings and promises of Jesus are available to all. I further believe that it’s up to us to preach the gospel of Jesus at all times to all peoples and when necessary, to use words.
Throughout this Advent and Christmas season, I have preached a lot about the suffering in the world; we had our own share of suffering in NH with those many hours without power, without light. Star of wonder, Star of Night,….Guide us to your perfect light. I think we appreciate light more than ever now. In the gospel of John, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” If we talk about the hope, joy, peace, and love of Christmas, and sing these joyous, blissful songs without seeing and helping with the terrible suffering and anguish in the world around us, the Christmas sentiments will indeed be only “pious platitudes” (Nettleson). We celebrate Christmas because we do live in a suffering world; and the One has come to bring us light, to give us life. Emmanuelle, God with us. My prayer for you and for me is that in this week and forward, we let Jesus’ light shine in us as we go into the world. We, too, can be the light in the world. Epiphany is about sending out those who have learned the good news to share it with all nations. Go Tell It On the Mountain that Jesus Christ is born. May we have the courage and the love to both recognize and follow where God calls, even if at times these places terrify and horrify us. May God bless us and help us. Amen
1Shashi Tharoor, The Elephant, the tiger, and the cell phone,2007.
Scripture: Isaiah 60: 1-6 and Matthew 2: 2-12
Oh, star of wonder, star of night; guide us to thy perfect light.
Epiphany—a revelation, a manifestation of Divine Presence right in the midst of ordinary life! In the church year, Epiphany is twelve days after Christmas, January 6. Epiphany celebrates the visit to Jesus of the wise men from the East, often called the three kings or the Magi. The Greek word for the Magi really has nothing to do with kings “but designates a priestly class of Persian or Babylonian experts in the occult, such as astrology and the interpretation of dreams.” (New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. 7, p. 140)
In Isaiah we have a prediction of camels from the East bringing gold and frankincense and praising the Lord. That scripture opens with a resounding call, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” The next verse describes thick darkness covering the earth and all its peoples, but then the light of the Lord shines forth, bringing all nations to the brightness of dawn. Epiphany is also used as a word referring to a sudden brightness that lights up our mind, gives us insights we never had before. It is definitely a gift. It may be something that comes to an individual or to whole community. It is like the bright light shining in the darkness. Light attracts, brings people together.
In the world of Isaiah there had been a number of prophecies, known to religious and pagans alike, about the possibility of a promised King. There was a belief that a special star would be the sign of the birth of this special person. Since the wise men were astrologers, it would be common for them to study the sky for signs of extraordinary events.
Today let’s look at the journey of the wise men to see what we can learn from it that might apply to us spreading the light in our world today. In the Gospel of Matthew we are given a time and place for this story. It was in Bethlehem of Judea in the time of King Herod, this King Herod ruled from 37-4 BCE. Now Herod was considered the King of the Jews so when he heard that another “King” had been born. He was indeed threatened. And the inquirers were not local folks but were from far away, from the East. They would be considered pagans or Gentiles as opposed to Jews, yet here they were, having come a very long distance to pay homage, to worship this King of the Jews. The fact that these wise men were from another nation and another religion, establishes in my mind how Jesus was for all people, all nations, all races, and so forth right from the very beginning. To reinforce that belief, we have the story in Luke where it is the Jewish shepherds in the fields around Bethlehem to whom the angels appear. The angels say, I am bringing you good news of great joy for ALL the people; to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (2:10-11) These shepherds are as poor as the Magi are rich. Jesus is for all, rich or poor. Through God’s grace in the birth of Jesus, the dividing wall was broken down to create one new human family, all loved by God.
By now most of you know that I believe that God wants us all to be part of a loving, inclusive community. Most of us Christians have been taught that Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Light—so far so good. For me, Jesus is definitely the way, the truth, and the light; however, I do not interpret the Bible literally as do our Fundamentalist and Evangelical brothers and sisters, who believe that only those that accept Jesus as their personal Savior will be saved and have eternal life as part of God’s family. Some of you have heard me express my affinity to Progressive Christianity, which talks about Jesus being the “Gate” to the realm of God for us as Christians, yet also recognizing the faithfulness of others who may use different names for the gateway to God’s realm. I believe it’s crucial that in our enthusiasm for including all people in God’s family and in our common life that we do not impose on them the necessity of becoming like us. Saying all of this brings me back to my sermon title of Jesus being the light for all people. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, young or old, gay or straight, Asian or African, Middle Eastern or American, the teachings and promises of Jesus are available to all. I further believe that it’s up to us to preach the gospel of Jesus at all times to all peoples and when necessary, to use words.
Looking at another meaning, Epiphany means to behold the world or one’s life in a new way. For me learning about the teachings of Progressive Christianity was an epiphany. It helped me blend my Christian faith with my worldview of inclusiveness. I have recently been reading a lot of the Hindu beliefs and rejoice when I learn that the Hindu religion teaches both tolerance and universal acceptance, teaching that all religions are equally worthy of respect. One of the authors I was reading says he is proud that he can honor the sanctity of other faiths without feeling he is betraying his own.1
Throughout this Advent and Christmas season, I have preached a lot about the suffering in the world; we had our own share of suffering in NH with those many hours without power, without light. Star of wonder, Star of Night,….Guide us to your perfect light. I think we appreciate light more than ever now. In the gospel of John, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” If we talk about the hope, joy, peace, and love of Christmas, and sing these joyous, blissful songs without seeing and helping with the terrible suffering and anguish in the world around us, the Christmas sentiments will indeed be only “pious platitudes” (Nettleson). We celebrate Christmas because we do live in a suffering world; and the One has come to bring us light, to give us life. Emmanuelle, God with us. My prayer for you and for me is that in this week and forward, we let Jesus’ light shine in us as we go into the world. We, too, can be the light in the world. Epiphany is about sending out those who have learned the good news to share it with all nations. Go Tell It On the Mountain that Jesus Christ is born. May we have the courage and the love to both recognize and follow where God calls, even if at times these places terrify and horrify us. May God bless us and help us. Amen
1Shashi Tharoor, The Elephant, the tiger, and the cell phone,2007.
posted by Sermons given at Deering Community Church @ 10:00 AM
<< Home