The Magi: Where is He?

 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,

during the time of King Herod, Magi from the

east came to Jerusalem and asked,

"Where is the One who has been born king

of the Jews?  We saw His star in the east,

and have come to worship Him."

Matthew 2:1-2 

Luke skips almost two years of Jesus' life after telling the story of His christening in Jerusalem.  Matthew leaves out most of the story in Nazareth and the facts of Christ's birth that Luke tells so well, beginning his story with the arrival of the magi or wise men from the east.  Believed by many to be astrologers, they set out on their journey by following a new star that they trusted would lead them to the newborn Jewish king.

The magi followed the star to Jerusalem, where their presence in the city disturbed the common people as well as the mighty King Herod.  They came to the palace where sought guidance in their search for the star-kissed child.  Unfortunately, guidance was not what King Herod had to offer.

* 

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain:

Gold I bring to crown Him again.

King forever, ceasing never,

Over us all to reign.

O star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 254

The Magi: Seeking Him

Carol of the Epiphany 

I sought Him dressed in finest clothes, where money talks and status grows,

But power and wealth He never chose: It seemed He lived in poverty.

I sought Him in the safest place, remote from crime or cheap disgrace,

But safety never knew His face:  It seemed He lived in jeopardy.

I sought Him where the footlights glare, where crowds collect and critics stare:

But no one knew His presence there: It seemed He lived in obscurity.

Then, in the streets, we heard the word that seemed for all the world, absurd,

That those who could no gifts afford were entertaining Christ the Lord.

And so, distinct from all we’d planned, among the poorest of the land,

We did what few might understand: We touched God in a baby’s hand.

-John Bell 

*

As with gladness men of old

Did the guiding star behold,

As with joy they hailed its light,

Leading onward, beaming bright,

So most gracious Lord, may we

Evermore be led to Thee.

The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration, No. 163

 

Anna: A Second Opinion

 

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter

of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  She was very old;

she had lived with her husband seven years after

their marriage, and then was a widow until she

was eighty-four.  She never left the temple but

worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Luke 2:36-37

As soon as Simeon had finished speaking to Joseph and Mary, another elderly parishioner joined the conversation.  She was a very old widow who was a constant presence at the Temple, worshiping, fasting and praying.  Luke records that she also came up to Jesus' parents, gave thanks to God, and then spoke about the infant to anyone who would listen - all those who were "looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem."

Mary and Joseph must have been both humbled and encouraged by the recognition of their child as the Messiah by these two pillars of Israel.  Simeon and Anna spoke about the mission and life of this baby in the same way that the angel had in his visitation to each of His parents.  If they had maintained any doubts about the message of the angel, this was a powerful affirmation of the heavenly messenger's words. 

Luke wrote that after Joseph and Mary had accomplished everything required by the Law for both Mary and the child, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.  In so doing, Luke leaves out a huge portion of the Christmas story. 

* 

Heaven’s arches rang and the angels sang

Proclaiming Thy royal degree.

But in lowly birth Thou didst come to earth

And in great humility.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

The Faith We Sing, No. 2100

 

Simeon

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon,

who was righteous and devout.  He was waiting for

the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was

upon Him.  It had been revealed to him by the

Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had

seen the Lord's Christ.

Luke 2:25-26

The old man who waylaid Mary and Joseph in the Temple had been searching every day throughout the courtyard for the One who had been foretold by the prophets.  With eyes sharpened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, he instantly recognized the baby Jesus as the Christ - the Messiah.  Taking the child in his arms, he proclaimed:  Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, now dismiss Your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people,  a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.

While Mary and Joseph were trying to digest the meaning of these strange words, Simeon pronounced a blessing on the parents, and then turned directly to Mary:  This child is destined to cause the falling and rising  of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the hearts of many  will be revealed;  

And a sword will pierce your own soul too... 

*

But this baby made the angels sing,

And this baby made a new star shine in the sky.

This baby had come to change the world.

This baby was God's own son, this baby was like no other one.

This baby was God with us, this baby was Jesus.

-Steven Curtis Chapman

Baby Jesus: Dedication

 

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise

him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had

given him before he had been conceived.

When the time of their purification according to

the Law of Moses had been completed,

Mary and Joseph took him to Jerusalem to

present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law

of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be

consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a

sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law

of the Lord: a pair of doves or two young pigeons.

Luke 2:21-24 

On the eighth day of life for Mary's little baby, His parents were still in Bethlehem.  He was brought to the rabbi for the rite of circumcision, and was named Jesus, as the angel commanded.  According to the Law regarding women who give birth of a son, Mary had to wait 40 days before going to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice for purification.  In addition, each first born son was to be dedicated to the Lord.  When the forty days were over, the little family set out on their short journey.  The distance between Bethlehem and Jerusalem was only about five miles, so this trip would be fairly easy for Mary and her infant son.

Upon arrival in the city, the family made their way to the Temple, where they would purchase the animals for the sacrifice - probably choosing the cheaper option of two pigeons or doves rather than a lamb.  As they moved across the courtyard toward the place of presentation, an elderly man stopped them with a simple request:  he wanted to hold the baby.

In my time of raising three children, I experienced many requests to "hold the baby."  It was a request (or at times, a demand) that I never took lightly.  Holding a precious babe is the right of the parents, but a high privilege for anyone else.  But as Mary and Joseph gazed at this stranger, something must have reassured them that they could safely place their son in his care.

* 

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 230

Baby Jesus: Born is the King

 

On a starlit night,

in the company of sheep, cattle,

and a bewildered Joseph,

Mary’s eyes fell upon the face of her just-born son.

She was bone weary, surely.

In pain, likely.

Ready to place her head on the straw and

sleep the rest of the night away, probably.

But first, Mary had to see this face.

His face.

To wipe the moisture from His mouth

and feel the shape of His chin.

To be the first to whisper, 

“So this is what God looks like.” 

-Max Lucado

*

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels.

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 234

The Shepherds: Go Tell It on the Mountain

...all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds

said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things

and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds

returned, glorifying and praising God for all the 

things they had heard and seen, which were just 

as they had been told.

Luke 2:18-20 

The shepherds were not just bit players in this heavenly drama in Bethlehem.  They were the first evangelists, sent out to the surrounding hills to tell their friends about what they had seen.  The Bible says that everyone who heard their story were amazed.  I'll bet they were!  You couldn't dream up a scenario with better dramatic potential than this.  The scriptures state that what they found in the manger was exactly as they had been told by the angels.  They returned to their sheep, praising God for blessing them with the honor and privilege of witnessing the angelic announcement of the newborn King.

Back at the stable, all is quiet except for the snuffling of the animals and perhaps a cry or two from Mary's baby.  The narrative says that after the shepherds left, Mary gathered together in her mind and heart all the unbelievable things that had occurred that night, tucking them away so that she might "ponder" them.  God must have been smiling at her tender innocence.  If she thought the angels and the shepherds were amazing, just wait...

*

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere!

Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born. 

Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born,

And God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere!

Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 251

The Shepherds: Go and See

 

When the angels had left them and gone into

heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

"Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has

happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph,

and the baby, who was lying in a manger.

Luke 2:15-16

First the blinding light, then the radiant angel, then an entire legion of angels singing out their joy at the birth of the Messiah.  The light receded, the darkness returned, but the wonder and joy in the hearts of the shepherds was nigh to overflowing.  Securing their flocks, they rushed to Bethlehem to find the stable and the newborn King.

Imagine Joseph and Mary's surprise when this motley crew stumbled into their humble accommodations.  The shepherds' occupation would have been immediately obvious from the clothing they wore, but their purpose in coming to the stable was not.  I've often wondered, did Mary and Joseph hear the angels singing in the starry heavens?  Did they see the brilliance?  Or did they learn of the angel chorus from the shepherds?  Either way, it appears that Jesus' parents graciously welcomed these men, and the Bible records that after a time, they left the manger and spread the news of what they had seen throughout the countryside.

If these men had been told, prior to this event, that they would be the first preachers of the Gospel of a new-born Savior, they would have laughed – loud and long.  But God’s ways are not our ways, and His call for the use of our particular talents can come at any moment in our lives.  We, like our shepherd friends, just need to listen for the angel’s message.

*

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,

All seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came down,

And glory shone around;

And glory shone around.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 236

The Shepherds: Song of the Angels

 

...and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and

they were terrified.  But the angel said to them,

"Do not be afraid!  I bring you good news of great

joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of

David a Savior has been born to you; he is

Christ the Lord.  You will find the baby wrapped in

cloths and lying in a manger.

Luke 2:9b-12

In the midst of the overwhelming radiance stood a being - an angel - the messenger of God to a sleeping world.  The angel did not go to the courtyards of Herod.  He did not go to the apartments of the high priest.  His visitation list did not include a single Pharisee or Sadducee.  The powerful and learned were passed by as the angels winged their way to the manger.  Instead, they stopped on a crude hillside filled with smelly sheep and ignorant shepherds. The startling news of a newborn King was given to the lowest of the low.

The frightened sheepherders discovered that the angel's visit was not just beautiful music and blinding light.  No, the angel told them exactly where to find this newborn Prince, and their hearts overflowed with wonder at being chosen to witness this wondrous event.  The Bible then records... 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host

appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth

peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:13-14 

* 

It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old,

Of angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold.

“Peace on the earth, good will to men” from heaven’s all -gracious King.

The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 218

The Shepherds: Just Another Night

 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields

nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them...

Luke 2:8-9a 

In the hills above the town of Bethlehem, shepherds were bedding down their sheep for the night.  Some of the flocks were inside their protective enclosures, others were out in the open air with the shepherd close by.  The night must have been clear because the stars were visible in the sky.  The men and boys who were protecting the flocks expected another calm, peaceful night.  After all, nothing happened in Bethlehem.

The fellows who were out there on those hills did not have college degrees - probably not even the bare rudiments of an education.  They were common peasant folk - trustworthy, responsible, loyal.  The last thing in the world they expected was for the night sky to turn as bright as mid-day with a radiance unlike anything they had ever seen.  Floods of light poured over the Judean hills as angel messengers prepared for the most spectacular announcement of all time.

As I have newly entered into retirement, I occasionally lapse into a small pity party, feeling as though my “important” life’s work is finished – that there is nothing more for me to contribute.  I’m sure that the shepherds were sitting there believing that this cold evening was the sum total of what their lives would always be.  A “multitude” of angels were about to prove them wrong.

*

Angels from the realms of glory,

Wing your flight o’er all the earth.

Ye who sang creation’s story

Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

Come and worship, come and worship,

Worship Christ, the newborn King.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 220

Advent: The Candle of Love

Tomorrow is the fourth Sunday of Advent – a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas, and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.

We light the fourth candle of Advent – the candle of LOVE.

LOVE in L ight

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.  John 1:1,2

LOVE in O ffspring

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things.  I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star.  Revelation 22:16

LOVE in V ictory

But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Cor. 15:57

LOVE in E ternal Life

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16

* 

Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, Love divine.

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and angel gave the sign.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 242

The Innkeeper

 While they were there, the time came for the baby

to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn,

a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him

in a manger, because there was no room for

them in the inn.  

Luke 2:5-7 

I cannot recall how many sermons and plays I have heard and seen about that horrible old man, the innkeeper of Bethlehem, who turned away Joseph and Mary in the hour of their greatest need.  I have also heard the legend that it is the innkeeper who led the couple to the stable (cave) where they could be protected from the elements and have some measure of privacy.  I've always felt sorry for the innkeeper of Bethlehem. 

The Bible doesn't even mention an "innkeeper;" it only states that the local inn was full.  And he, after all, was simply doing his job, having already booked out all the rooms and probably the common spaces as well.  Was he the one who led Joseph and Mary to the stable?  We don't know the human hand that guided them there.  We only know that in that place of protection, no matter how crude, the Savior of the universe was born.

* 

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky look down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 217

Joseph: The Dreamer

After he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared

to him in a dream, and said,

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary

home as your wife, because what is conceived in her

is from the Holy Spirit."

Matthew 1:20 

When Mary returned from visiting Elizabeth, she would have told Joseph the entire story of the visit from the angel and his exact words, including his answer to her question, "How can this be?"  Joseph's ruminations about divorce seem to indicate that he found the message far-fetched.  The words of the angel he could not accept from Mary's explanation he suddenly received directly from the horse's mouth.  

During those stress-filled hours of agonizing about what to do with his shattered engagement, Joseph had a dream from God. The angel in the dream told Joseph the exact same message that Gabriel told Mary - this pregnancy was not from common human dalliance, but from the Holy Spirit. 

The angel told Joseph that Mary would have a son, and that he was to call the child Jesus, "...because He will save His people from their sins."  This statement would have been an unmistakable indication to Joseph that the child to be born would be the long-awaited Messiah.  The Gospel writer Matthew interjects at this point in the narrative that all of this was done to fulfill the words of the prophet Isaiah in chapter 7, verse 14:  Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel - God with us." 

When Joseph awoke from his dream, he did exactly as the angel had commanded.  There were no more questions, no hesitation, no "what if's".  God had clearly spoken.  Matthew says that Joseph "...took Mary home as his wife," and cared for her for the remaining time leading to the long-awaited birth.

*

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns.

Let all their songs employ.

While fields and flocks, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 246

Joseph: The Man of Discretion

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:

His mother Mary was pledged to be married to

Joseph, but before they came together, she was found

to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Because

Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did

not want to expose her to public disgrace,

he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Matthew 1:18-19 

In order to discover the next event in Mary's story, we have to leave the book of Luke and go to the first chapter of the book of Matthew.  Mary was pledged (espoused, engaged) to Joseph - a vow as binding as marriage.  When she returned from her visit to Elizabeth, it was obvious that she was pregnant. 

Think of the agony of mind that must have possessed Mary on her travels back to Nazareth.  How am I going to explain this?  Will anyone even listen to me?  Will Joseph believe me?  If he doesn't, will they stone me?  There is nothing overly dramatic about these questions.  Her situation really was a life or death matter.  One assumes that Mary went home to her parents’ house when she returned from  her journey.  Their shock at her condition would only deepen Mary's qualms. 

Joseph, poor fellow, was absolutely blindsided.  One can only imagine the turmoil, hurt and embarrassment that must have weighed on his mind, especially if he cared at all for Mary.  The Bible tells us that he was a good man - a righteous man, and did not want to make Mary's situation a public spectacle, leading me to believe that he genuinely cared for his young bride-to-be.  He wanted to handle this awkward situation as quietly and discreetly as possible.  The God of the universe, however, had other ideas.

* 

Joseph dearest, Joseph mine,

Help me cradle the child divine.

God reward thee and all that’s thine

In paradise, so prays the mother Mary.

The Faith We Sing, No. 2099

 

Mary: My Song

 

And Mary said,

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit

rejoices in God my Savior..."

Luke 1:46-47 

When Elizabeth finished her greeting to Mary, Mary burst into song. 

This is how it reads from The Message: 

I'm bursting with God news,

I'm dancing the song of my Savior God.

God took one look at me, and look what happened -

I'm the most fortunate woman on earth!

What God has done for me will never be forgotten,

the God whose very name is holy,

set apart from all others.

His mercy flows in wave after wave,

on those who are in awe before Him.

He bared his arm and showed His strength,

scattered the bluffing braggarts.

He knocked tyrants off their high horses,

pulled victims out of the mud.

The starving poor sat down to a banquet;

the callous rich were left out in the cold.

He embraced His chosen child, Israel;

He remembered and piled on the mercies,

piled them high.

It's exactly what He promised

beginning with Abraham and right up to now.

Luke 1:46-55.

*

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, great David’s greater Son.

Hail in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun.

He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free,

To take away transgression, and rule in equity.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 203

Mary: Road Trip

At that time, Mary got ready and hurried to a town in

the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's

home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary's

greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was

filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed:

"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child

you will bear!  Blessed is she who has believed that what

the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

Luke 1:39-42, 45 

If there's is one thing that we can understand clearly, it is that Mary needed someone to confide in.  The message of the angel is so astounding, the thought of being pregnant through a miracle from God so unfathomable, that Mary wanted someone to seek counsel from.  Before he departed, the angel had declared that her elderly cousin, Elizabeth, was six-months into her own pregnancy.  Mary knew that Elizabeth would understand her fears, her concerns, and her predicament with Joseph. 

When Mary arrived at Elizabeth's home and called out her greeting, her cousin's baby made a dramatic movement in the womb - recognizing instantly the mother of the Messiah.  Elizabeth praised Mary, not only for her pregnancy, but also for her willingness to believe the angel's words and surrender her life to the will of her Creator.  Mary's mature faith was amazing in one so young, and Elizabeth encouraged her with an acknowledgement of the truth of Gabriel's words.  In Elizabeth's home, Mary found a welcome refuge from the gossip, slander, and end of her betrothal that surely must come.  

*

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the world began to be,

He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He

Of the things that are, that have been,

And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 184

Advent: The Candle of Joy

Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy,

Which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

Who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

Tomorrow is the third Sunday of Advent – a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming

We light the third candle of Advent – the candle of JOY.

JOY in J oyfulness

That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience with joyfulness.  Colossians 1:10-11

JOY in O bscurity

And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.  The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

JOY in Y oking

Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest unto your souls.  For My joke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

* 

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

United Methodist Hymnal, No. 246

Mary: Let It Be

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered.

"May it be to me as you have said."

Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:38

What a privilege it would have been to have lived in Nazareth during the time recorded in the book of Luke, with the possible opportunity to meet Mary.  We know so little of her, and yet everything that is recorded in the nativity narrative in Luke showcases a young girl of incredible maturity, responsibility, and devotion to God. 

After the strange being who claimed to come from God delivered his message, Mary assessed the situation and made the amazing decision to acquiesce.  She accepted Gabriel’s proclamation as the Lord's chosen path for her with grace and dignity far beyond her years.  She would prove to be an amazing mother for the world's Messiah.

Are you feeling today as though your life is one of fear, stress or loneliness - an existence rather than really living?  Lay it all at the feet of the One who directs the stars and commands the angels.  He who knows the future will gladly direct your paths.

*

There’s a song in the air, there’s a star in the sky,

There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry.

And the star reigns its fire while the beautiful sing,

For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King.

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 249