Saturday, January 18, 2014

Epiphany 2007, Devoted Offerings

Cyprian Byzantine
1st Epiphany
Matthew 2: 1-12

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.

           
1st Epiphany
January 6, 7, 2007
Matthew 2: 1-12
   
What gift can we bring to someone who has everything? He is the long awaited King, whose arrival is announced in the script of the stars. The shepherds had brought the joy and enthusiasm of their hearts. They carried the angels’ message of glory and peace to the child’s parents. In the Shepherd’s Play[1] they bring,  along with their enthusiasm and devotion, milk and wool, the natural products of their work.

The three Kings too are sent as messengers. But it is Herod who wants tidings of the new king’s whereabouts, so that he can kill him. Fortunately, the Magi are open to higher guidance. They meet the child and his mother and great joy awakens in them. It is the joy of recognition one might feel for a revered mentor, a joy of humble gratitude. To the One who has everything, and yet nothing, they too bring the fruits of their labor and the gifts of their hearts – the gold of wisdom gained, the frankincense of their heart’s devoted offering, the myrrh of healing. Their gifts may be more sophisticated than those of the shepherds. But they too are heart’s offerings infused with the warmth of joy.

What gift can we bring to the One who has everything? The fruits of our labors, the gift of our hearts. We bring him the wisdom of our life experience, our thoughts, offered with the glowing frankincense of our love, all brought in hope of healing.

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[1] The Oberufer Christmas Plays, collected by Carl Julius Schroer