2013 January 2

As I sit here at home recovering, I am working on my sermons for Sunday.  For once Epiphany actually falls on a Sunday.  During Advent, I was preaching on a Different Kind of Christmas based on Mike Slaughter’s book, Christmas Is Not Your Birthday.  The recommendation for Epiphany was a different road.  I also follow a Methodist lay person who blogs as the Naked Alien.  There was something about what he said that I wanted to share.  He uses the lectionary and either reframes it or often will have reflections regarding the scriptures.  Here is what he shared with the story of the Magi found in Matthew 2.

“

When Herod was King, eastern boffins came to Jerusalem after the birth of Jesus. "In our observatory, we saw a new star come to life, marking the birth of your new king. Where might we find him? We want to honor him and pay our respects." Geeks don't always exhibit the best of skills in social graces - King Herod was terrified of this omen.

He stepped out to meet with his own egg-heads and theology nerds: "Where will the Messiah be born?"

"Our studies of the works of the Prophets tell us that it will be in Bethlehem."

Herod then met in secret with his visitors. Feigning to share their interest in science and learning, he discovered from them the exact time and day that the star first appeared. "Here is a pass. Go to the village of Bethlehem. If you find the king, hurry back and tell me. I also want to honor him and pay my respects!"

Wise-men but none-the-wiser, they set out. The star's final position confirmed the Bethlehem hypothesis. They were overwhelmed with the joy of success. They entered the house where the new family was living. Seeing the baby with his mother, they knelt down. In addition to the gold and frankincense that Isaiah had listed on the baby-shower registry, they gave the baby embalming myrrh as well. See what I mean about them not always being socially appropriate or sensitive?

God removed their blinders and they decided it probably wasn't such a good idea to go back to Herod after all, so they snuck out of town the back way singing a song where they pretended to be kings...

Herod was severely pissed-off, so he sent his thugs to kill all the babies in the small quiet village that had always seemed so safe - until hell fell upon them.

(Retelling of Matthew 2:1-12 and 16-18) “

We in telling the story often fail to spend time with the slaughter of the innocents and that the holy family became refugees in Africa.  The birth of our Savior was not a Hallmark event but one that threatened those who felt that prosperity, power, and prestige were marks of being blessed.  Jesus’ family were poor, powerless, homeless and certainly not prestigious. 

So how in telling this story can we be more faithful to our savior?  Are we who live in a society of privilege and who for the most part are prosperous going to react as the magi or King Herod in our choices?

Sunday we will reflect on the different road.  For those who read this check out Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken.

Shalom