Star of Wonder

Epiphany of Our Lord

Matthew 2:1-12

"Star of Wonder"

Shortly after midnight on New Year's Eve, after ringing in the new year, we stepped outside to light sparklers. Looking up, it was a beautiful clear night sky, and even here in light-drenched northern Virginia, the stars were very visible, and lovely to behold. One of the things we've lost in our modern world is the night sky. The artificial light from streetlights, vehicles, security lighting and more blocks out the beauty of the nighttime heavens. In our modern world, we rarely grasp the immensity of the overwhelming greatness of the heavens that our ancestors knew. On this Feast of Epiphany, we are forced to look up to those heavens and see the sign which God has given: a star of wonder. The light of that star leads to an even greater light, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. May the Lord's rich blessing rest upon the preaching, the hearing, and the living of his Word, for Jesus' sake.

Is there an explanation for the star of wonder which Matthew's Gospel records? Many scholars have dug deeply and labored long to do this. Here is what Dr. Paul Maier puts forth: "The remarkable conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn in 7-6 B.C. alerted the Magi to important developments in Palestine, for the astrological significance [Jupiter = king, "King of the Planets"; Saturn = shield or defender of Palestine] closely paralleled what they had learned from Hebrew lore about a star heralding the expected Messiah. The comet of 5 B.C. (Williams No. 52) dramatically underscored this intersection and sent them on their way, while it was the nova (or comet) of 4 B.C. (Williams No. 53) which appeared after they had reached Jerusalem and were seeking further information from Herod" (First Christmas: The True and Unfamiliar Story, Paul L. Maier. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1971, p. 80). This theory has much merit, but ultimately cannot be proven. In faith, we take hold of what Scripture records and say, "Yes, Lord, I believe."

The star of wonder served an incredibly important purpose in the whole Christmas story, and that is to bring the first non-Jews, the first Gentiles, to worship the Christ Child. Until the coming of those mysterious visitors from the east, the nativity story had been very local in nature. Only a few shepherds and whoever they told - all from the same nation - knew about it. The visit of the Magi changed all that, and moved the nativity from small town news to international story. The inclusion of the Gentiles was always part of God's great plan of salvation. We see this revealed already in today's first reading (Isaiah 60:1-6) and psalmody (Psalm 72): "Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn" (Isaiah 60:3). The thought that all nations would participate in God's salvation had always been there for God's chosen people. But the way in which Israel and the nations would come together to share in God's salvation was not known. That coming together was accomplished with the coming of Christ. The first Gentiles to recognize this were those wise men. God's plan is always much larger and greater than anything we could imagine. The coming of the Savior is for all people, as Paul tells us in today's second reading: "... the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel" (Ephesians 3:6). The redemption and reconciliation which Jesus came to bring breaks down dividing walls of hostility, making many different peoples and nations into one body of believers. That is still the message of Christ's coming today: he has come for all. During the month of January, we will focus upon his coming for all peoples and nations. Next weekend, we will hear a message from the Gideons, International. The following weekend, we will hear about the work of Mission India. The last weekend of January, we will hear about Spanish-language mission in our area.

The light shining from that Epiphany star would lead to the darkness of that Good Friday cross. Jesus' coming into our world was for the payment of our sins, which he fully accomplished upon the cross. Shedding his blood for us, we have been called out of darkness into his marvelous light. The star of wonder, whether it was a coming together of planets, a comet, or some other heavenly sign, served its purpose: to alert those who were waiting and watching that something extraordinary had happened. The long-promised Messiah, a King, had been born. The wise men had heard of the prophecies, and believed them. But it didn't stop there. They followed the star! They were not sure where they were going, or how long it would take to get there, but they followed. It certainly wasn't comfortable or convenient to be on the road for an extended time, but they followed. In obedience, they followed the star! We can learn from their example. Believing is one thing, but following is quite another. Like the wise men, we are called to follow where God is leading us, wherever that may take us. Like them, we are pilgrims and travelers down an unfamiliar road, guided only by the light of that King to whom the star pointed. Will we follow? It's a new year, a fresh start - a good time to rededicate ourselves to the bold adventure of following Christ. The journey doesn't end here, folks; it only begins. By God's amazing grace, let's follow together.

The star of wonder which brought the wise men to the Infant Jesus never really disappeared. In silver or gold, in plastic or cardboard, it still shines from the tops of our Christmas trees and decorations. In glitter or aluminum foil, it shines on, pointing us to Christ who is the Light of the world. May that Light shine brightly into our lives and into our world. Amen.