Since childhood the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord has been one of my favorite celebrations of the Christmas Season. The idea of the wise men following a star to unknown places captured my imagination then. And it still does. The story of the Magi presents Jesus as the Messiah of the Gentiles (us) and to all the people of the world. When I was a child, it was an adventure story. There were good guys, the Magi, on an amazing quest, following a star to the far reaches of the earth. There was a really bad guy, Herod who wanted to kill the baby Jesus. And in the end, the good guys won. They found the baby Jesus, gave him wonderful presents, tricked Herod and then they returned home safely. This is a good story!
Looking at this story with adult eyes still excites my imagination. The idea of following a star across the world is a very romantic notion. Almost everyone has a star they want to follow. For some people that star might be the allure of wealth or power. For other people the star might be fame or the thrill of adventure. Still others seek love and will travel to the ends of the earth to find it. But this story isn’t about seeking love or self-fulfillment or achieving our dreams. The story of the Magi is about a journey of faith. These pagan astrologers represent all the people in the entire world including us. And so, this story is about us finding spiritual meaning in our lives. It is about our search for Jesus.
Like the Magi, we have to put aside our preoccupations and fixations. We have to drop everything to follow the new star, the Light of Christ. There is adventure in seeking and then following Jesus. We don’t know where He will lead us in our journey of faith. For me following the star, the Light of Christ, lead me to Peachtree City, Georgia. The journey here was not easy but I know that this is where God wants me right now. I don’t know where the Light of Christ will lead you. My prayer is that each one of you will seek the only star worth following and let it guide your journey to the Lord.
Father, we your people rise up in splendor,
for your light has come;
your glory now shines upon us.
We are grateful for this light,
who is Jesus Christ, your Son.
Make our lives radiant with that same brightness
and help us walk as one in your light.
Open our eyes that we may recognize you
in all the signs you send us.
All glory be to you, FATHER,
through your SON Jesus Christ,
who draws all people to himself
that together with the SPIRIT
we might give you praise,
forever and ever.
AMEN
