Shepherds, Magi And Us

January 6, 2008     Epiphany A

Isaiah 60:1-6            

Ephesians 3:1-12         St. Matthew 2:1-12

The feast of Epiphany originated in the East, where it was primarily a commemoration of the Lord's baptism. This was the first of his "epiphanies," or manifestations. Further epiphanies, such as the miracle atCana, came later.

When this festival spread to the West, it assimilated some of the associations of the Western Christmas and became primarily a commemoration of the visit of the Magi.

Later still, especially in Lutheranism, Epiphany became the day to emphasize the Church's missionary work.

The current Lectionary shows an attempt to restore the primary emphasis to the revelation of God in Christ and to relate all those secondary features to this primary theme.

The Christmas season unfolds facets of response: the shepherds go forth proclaiming what "had been told them". In a primitive and original fashion, the shepherds are the first to show what the effect of Christmas is. Not just singing angels, but changed lives come about because God is in human form. The shepherds cannot help themselves. They must go and share what has happened and affected their lives.

The Magi are next in the progression. They show a response of homage. The Greek word magoi in this story has been translated in modern times as "wise men" (too generic), "kings" (incorrect), and  "astrologers" (partially correct but confusing because of modem connotations). The revised New Testament of the New American Bible restores the word "Magi."

In the cultural world of Jesus, Magi were a caste of very high ranking political-religious advisers to the rulers of the Median and then the Persian empires (roughly equivalent to the modern countries of Iran and Iraq).

History notes that Magi also resisted the imperialistic designs of Philip the Macedonian and Alexander the Great to conquer the ancient Near Eastern people. The Greeks viewed the Persians as decadent and weak. The Persians obviously resented that.

Indeed, Persian prophecies similar to Daniel's vision of four kingdoms each more decadent than the preceding (Babylonian, Median, Persian, Hellenistic) yearned for a restoration of true Persian kingship.

This historical event was burned into the memories of everyone in the first-century Mediterranean world. Clearly the Magi had enormous influence as advisers to Eastern kings. Matthew was undoubtedly familiar with the story.

In the story of the Magi and Jesus, the Magi chart Jesus' horoscope, discover and follow his star, find and worship him, and leave. How does Matthew reshape this event to fit into the birth story of Jesus?

Matthew puts a very appropriate political spin on Jesus' story. Known for their centuries-old opposition to Western (currently Roman) imperialism, the Eastern Magi travel to submit to Jesus, a new "king of Judeans."

The Magi proclaim a message that resounds beyond the confines of Israel to the entire ancient Near East. Here in this babe is the new King of Kings. Here begins the restoration of true Eastern kingship. That Roman bootlicking, murderous, and tyrannical puppet-king, Herod the Great, has every reason to squirm.

To add insult to Herod's injury, the gospel story interprets the visit of the Magi as saying that liberation from foreign domination and restored Eastern kingship has come not from the elite but rather from the poor and humble in a hamlet (Bethlehem) of a rather insignificant principality (Judea).

But that was all in the past. What about us, some twenty centuries later? Liturgy (worship) is an invitation to open our treasures, giving ourselves in homage to God and in service to the community.

We have come from the East to worship the king. The star came to rest above the place where the child was. At the sight of it the magi were filled with great joy and that great joy should fill our hearts as well. It is the same as the joy the shepherds received from the glad tidings brought by the angels.

Let us join the wise men in worship and the shepherds in giving glory to God. Let us dance with the angels and sing: To us is born this day a savior who is Christ the Lord. The Lord is God and he has appeared to us, not as God which would have terrified us in our weakness, but as a slave in order to free those living in slavery.

Could anyone be so lacking in sensibility and so ungrateful as not to join us all in our gladness, exultation, and radiant joy?

This feast belongs to the whole universe. It gives heavenly gifts to the earth, it sends archangels to Zechariah and to Mary, it assembles a choir of angels to sing, Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Stars cross the sky, wise men journey from pagan lands, earth receives its savior in a manger. Let there be no one without a gift to offer, no one without gratitude as we celebrate the salvation of the world, the birthday of the human race.

Now it is no longer, "Dust you are and to dust you shall return," but "You are joined to heaven and into heaven you shall be taken up." It is no longer, "In sorrow you shall bring forth children," but, "Blessed is she who has borne Emmanuel and blessed the breast that nursed him." For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; and dominion is laid upon his shoulder.

Come, join the company of those who, in joy, welcome the Lord from heaven. Think of shepherds receiving wisdom, of priests prophesying, of women who are glad of heart, as Mary was when told by the angel to rejoice, and as Elizabeth was when John leapt in her womb.

Anna announced the good news; Simeon took the child in his arms. They worshiped the mighty God in a tiny baby, not despising what they beheld but praising his divine majesty. Like light through clear glass the power of the Godhead shone through that human body for those whose inner eye was pure.

Jesus is born! Creation has been renewed. Let us worship the Lord with our lives!