SHHH.. Don’t tell the stores that are busy having their “after Christmas sales – or maybe their after, after-Christmas sale – but it is still Christmas! Today is the 12th day, the last day of Christmas – and the eve of Epiphany. This is an in-between time, as we begin to put away the Christmas decorations and eat or send away the remaining Christmas cookies – and lean into a new year and the season of Epiphany.
At Christmas, we rejoice in the birth of Christ, at God coming to earth, taking on flesh and blood and becoming one of us, being born as a little vulnerable baby. At Christmastime, we rejoice and sing for the light of Christ has come into the world. And whether we focus on the baby of Bethlehem or the Cosmic Christ that we read of in John’s Gospel, we have received a gift. This gift is Jesus. And, this is the gift, as John says, that “we have all received, grace upon grace.”
Today as we give thanks for Christmas and welcome in Epiphany we sing “Noel” – proclaiming the joy of Christ’s birth with the shepherds and with the wisemen. And yet, even as we sing of peace and joy, we also know that our world does not reflect the peace and joy that is promised at Christmas….at least not yet. And so we to the new season, the season of Epiphany to make Christ known.
In her book, From Glory into Glory, Susan Palo Cherwien writes,
“Epiphany is the season of revealing, making known, manifestation, appearance. In living out this season, we step into a story that reveals who Jesus was [and is] and who we are; [And] who we are to be.”
She goes on to say:
“The whole liturgical year is a sacred space where two stories overlap – the Christ story and our story. The revealing has to do with Christ; the revealing has to do with us. [As] we re-member the story, we bring it again into flesh, into our flesh, our lives.”1
The wisemen – Non-Jewish Gentile astronomers -- were on a journey, a pilgrimage of sorts, searching for the King that they saw revealed in a star. I wonder if they ever got discouraged – or wanted to give up. After all, it must have taken a long time. While we can’t know the circumstances of their journey, because Matthew doesn’t tell us, what we do know is that they showed up. Oh, they made some mistakes, some assumptions along the way. They assumed that a king – especially a really important king -- would be born to king in a castle or at least at the capital city. Maybe they assumed that since it was clear to them that a king would be born, others must know too. So, they asked King Herod for directions. Herod didn’t know – but he knew people who did. He asked the scholars – and they were helpful.. They pointed right to Bethlehem – the city of David -- which was only 5 miles away.
The best part of this story is that when they left Herod and the star showed up again – the wisemen were overwhelmed with joy. They entered his house, knelt in praise and worship and were generous with their kingly gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
This story, as we re-member it, tells us a bit of who Jesus was and is: Jesus is a king, worthy of worship, praise and gifts.
The story also reveals something for us. First, it reminds us of the expansive grace of God that includes all people. The wisemen were not Jewish scholars but foreigners, gentiles, people who would be considered outside the covenant. And yet, God show them a sign. Through a star, God revealed the birth of Jesus and invited foreigners of another faith to come and follow, come and worship.
Most of our ancestors were gentiles too . As Paul writes, we as “Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise of Christ Jesus” Ephesians 3
Another thing we can learn from the wisemen is to ask for help from one another. As wise as they were, they didn’t know everything. They didn’t know the Hebrew scriptures or the prophecy. By they did know when they needed help. Sometimes we don’t like to ask for help – maybe it’s the American “I can pull myself up from my bootstraps” mentality. I don’t know. But I do know God made us to live in community and to ask for help from one another and to care for one another – and the stranger.
Finally, like the wisemen, who generously opened their treasures and shared them we too can be generous – generously sharing the good news that we have received and generous with the gifts that God has entrusted to us.
The quieter days in-between Christmas and Epiphany can be a time for reflection as we think back on the past year and look forward to the next. Perhaps you made some New Year’s Resolutions. Or maybe you have sworn off making New Year’s Resolutions. I read in a recent article by Kate Bowler that “94% of people will fail their New Year’s resolution.” At first I thought, “That sounds depressing!” But maybe it is because of the standard that we have for our resolutions. Kate suggests, “What if the goal wasn’t perfection but something much braver: showing up, being real, and finding a little joy in the beautiful, chaotic mess of it all?” 2
This is exactly what we can do too: Show up. Be real. And find joy in the midst of our messy – and broken – world.
But sometimes that is easier said than done. So the question remains: In this season of Epiphany, this season of making Christ known, in what ways are we seeing Christ revealed to us? And, in what ways are we making Christ known to others by the way that we live our lives?
Some of you have tried and true prayer and Bible study practices. This is wonderful. Continue to use the practices that work for you, good and faithful servants of Christ.
If, however, you are interested in trying something new, one idea, a tool that I have sometimes found helpful, is choosing a “Word of the Year” or “Star” Word” a word to help reveal Christ to you this year. As you reflect upon the past year, and look forward to the new, ask yourself, is there a word – or a Bible verse – that would provide a compass for you for the upcoming year? Pray about it. Ask God if there is a word that would act like the star of the wisemen in revealing Christ to you? Sometimes a word can be a response to the world around you. For example, if you have been anxious, sad or mournful – perhaps a word like Trust, Peace, or Still would help put into perspective the world in comparison with the strong word of God. If you are angry, distresses or frustrated, maybe you would be led to choose a word like: Gratitude; Faith or Hope. If you are anticipating something wonderful, perhaps a word like, Joy, Love or Patience would fit. There is no “right” word – and give yourself grace if this is not a practice that resonates with you.
Finally, friends in Christ, in this upcoming season of Epiphany, may the light of Christ shine on you so that you may reflect the prophets word,
“Arise, Shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 Amen.
1From Glory into Glory, Susan Palo Cherwien p 114.
2Kate Bowler, Try January podcast and email chain January 1, 2025
Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran Church January 5, 2025 Pastor Pam Stalheim Lane