Epiphany 2014, Harbingers of Light

1^st Epiphany

Matthew 2: 1-12

Albani Psalter

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea—during the time of King Herod—behold: wise priest-kings from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

           

“Where is the one born here King of the Jews? We have seen his star rise in the east and have come to worship him.”

           

When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. And he assembled all the high priests and scribes of the people and inquired of them in what place the Christ was to be born.

And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it was written by the prophet:

And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

Are by no means the least among the rulers of Judah;

For out of you shall come forth the ruler

Who will be shepherd over my people, the true Israel.”

Then Herod, secretly calling the Magi together again, inquired from them the exact time when the star had appeared. He directed them to Bethlehem and said, “Go there and search carefully for the child, and when you find him, report to me, that I too may go and bow down before him.”

After they had heard the King, they went on their way, and behold, the star that they had seen rising went before them, and led them in its course over the cities until it stood over the place where the child was.

Seeing the star, they were filled with [there awakened in them] an exceedingly great and holy joy.

Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; they fell down before him and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him their gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their country by another way.

           

Epiphany

January 6, 2014

Matthew 2:1-12

The arrival of the New can be disturbing; for sameness lulls us to sleep—the shock of awakening gives us a start. If, however, we expect something new to arrive, we anticipate it, watch and wait for it, greet it with joy.

For Herod and those in power, the arrival of the One born in Bethlehem is disturbing. But for those wise priest kings who had waited and watched for him, his arrival causes an exceedingly great and holy joy. Guided by the heavens, they avoid the peril of playing into Herod’s destructive evil. Guided by the heavens, they follow the path that takes them to Him, bringing their devoted offerings.

Even in the midst of today’s evil, we ourselves are, as the poet says:

…the guardians of His Beauty.

               

We are the protectors

Of the Sun.

There is only one reason

We have followed God into this world:

To encourage laughter, freedom, dance

And love.

 ….

We are the companions of His Beauty

We are the guardians

Of Truth.

Every man, plant and creature in Existence,

Every woman, child, vein and note

Is a servant of our Beloved -

A harbinger of joy,

The harbinger of

Light.[1]

www.thechristiancommunity.org

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[1] Hafiz, in The Subject Tonight is Love by Daniel Ladinsky