Epiphany

A young maiden was visited by an angel with the words, “fear not,” and then was told she would bring into this world the one who would be called the Son of God. Her response was, “let it be with me for I am the Lord’s servant” followed by “my soul magnifies the Lord.” The shepherds out in the field were visited by an angel with the words, “fear not,” and were told of the homeless family giving birth to a homeless child who would be called the Son of God, and who would be lying in an animal feed trough. Their response, accompanied by the sounds of the angels singing, was let us go to see this thing that has happened. A group of magicians, star-gazers, fortune tellers and dabblers in the hocus-pocus saw a rising star in the East and followed the sign of the birth of power and might to Jerusalem, the seat of power and might. They inquired of “the King of the Jews” where this one born King of the Jews might be found. They were met with fear which would soon enough manifest into the brutal slaughter of the Holy Innocents. When the scribes, who studied the words in the books without knowing them in their hearts, corrected their course, the Magi left for the dark streets and back alleys of the town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem, the back woods town outside of the seat of power (and a virtual prison today) was considered by “no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of it would come a ruler who will shepherd the people.” After worshipping this Prince of Peace who was born in a manger they gave him as gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, symbols of their magic arts and left. Having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

When the light of Christ, Emmanuel, breaks into the world and into our lives change happens. For those on the margins; Mary, the shepherds, Bethlehem, yes even the magicians from distant lands and exotic customs, this light of change brings hope, not fear. Change, and hope for those on the margins is not always seen as good news for some, however. For the light of Christ illumines the back streets and dark alleys of this world and in our lives and brings to light that which some would just as soon keep hidden. But for those who embrace this light, and yes, even for those who don’t, change happens. The Magi, and you and I, are now impelled to go on our journeys in life a different way.

Just as the light met the marginalized and magi where they were and led them to the true light, so too, the light of Christ comes into our world where we are. It meets us in the dark streets and back alleys as well as highways, byways and sanctuaries in our lives and leads us to a Christ who is more than just words on a page. We are each changed by this encounter with Christ and are called to carry this light into the world for others.