Rev. Cari Pattison
Sunday, January 9th, 2022
Woodstock Reformed Church
“Home by Another Way”
Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “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.”
When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
‘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.’”
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then 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.”
When 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. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On 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.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
****
Krista asked me earlier this week…
Jim’s sermon on John 1- the Word made flesh-
But today we celebrate Epiphany! I have never gotten to preach on this text before, in 14 years of pastoral ministry, so I loved studying and reading all about the wise men this week.
Epiphany – show bulletin – root words
Merriam-Webster:
A moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way
A usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something
An intuitive grasp of reality through something (such as an event) usually simple and striking
An illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure
Epiphany in fact is the primary winter holiday for Christians in a number of countries around the world, especially Latin cultures- gift giving in honor of the Magi
In Ethiopia, it’s a celebration with colorful costumes and staying up all night singing and dancing and then bringing a replica of the Hebrew ark of the covenant down to the river, to commemorate Jesus’ baptism and renew their own.
I’m thankful we don’t have the tradition of staying up all night, though, because this morning – for those of you who’ve been up and out already or had a dog to walk— we need our wits about us!
Speaking of dogs… you knew this was coming
Yesterday with Ollie, running… It was like my little dog had an epiphany, a sudden intuitive grasp of reality- “Wait, this is possible? We can run together? Instead of walk? We can be warm and not cold? We can get our heart-rates going first thing in the morning? This is an illuminating discovery!”
Epiphany, biblically speaking- and in our own world- is when we realize something is possible, that we never imagined could be- and we run with it.
For the early readers of Matthew’s Gospel, a mostly Jewish audience, it never would’ve seemed possible that the Messiah…
Even for us as readers today, this story of the wise men comes with at least 6 myths we have to unpack- new discoveries about the text for some of us, including me:
Joke about the “wise women” gifts:
After the wise men left, wiser women came: bringing fresh diapers, casseroles for a week, and lots of formula
Jan Richardson imagines the wise women…
A foretelling of Jesus’ life- the fulfillment of Hebrew prophecies, religious leaders and worldly rulers against him, people from the outside worshiping him, and Jesus pointing people home by another way
We’ve focused a lot this Advent and Christmas, on the biblical themes of home.
This passage today ends with the wise men leaving for their own country, by another road.
Hebrews 11:
All these Old Testament people of faith, “confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.”
And we’re not just talking about heaven when we die here- but
Making our home, in the person of Jesus Christ.
Finding our dwelling in the presence of God.
Taking up residence, in the life of the Holy Spirit.
The wise men could’ve returned by the way they came- likely the most direct route, the most familiar, the way they knew. But they also knew that that way- this time- would lead to death.
So this Epiphany, what does it look like for us to join the wise men, and go home by a different way?
The way of a star
The way of a gift
The way of a dream
Going home by another way can be hard. It might take longer, or be more dangerous and fraught with risk. When have you taken an alternate route in life, that you felt God calling you to?
1. The star-
The wise men were not guided by a king of this world
But by the light, the thing that shines- Jesus calls us to shine
And a star is something that glows brightest, on the darkest night, far from city lights.
Van Gogh: “I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. I don’t know anything with certainty, but seeing the stars makes me dream.”
Planetarium, night sky, look up- literally. And spiritually- look for those guiding stars of a little brightness, in your darkest times.
And keep seeking- truth, wisdom, God- no matter your religious background.
2. The gift-
They gave the best of what they had, the best of what they could carry.
Can you?
The best gifts are often those of attention, time, listening, love.
But even tangible gifts- the most meaningful are often the least expensive:
a hand-written letter or home-cooked meal or hand-made present.
Our Consistory discussion…
3. The dream-
Notice where God is speaking to you-
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
One of my favorite things is hearing your epiphanies-
How- in a world filled with formulas for success and meaning- you’ve found home by a different way.
Ram Dass: “In the end, we’re all just walking each other home.”
Close with questions and writing and silence.
Pray-
Star / Gift / Dream
Show us the way home.
“We love you, Lord, Amen.”