Saturday, December 27, 2014

Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11 

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, suddenly some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east asking, 'Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.' … The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Journey of a soul

I bless the journey, O Lord that led them to the place of joy. I bless all the rocky and smooth places of life and earth my feet have trod for they have led me here … to know the joy you intend.

The Magi’s journey is mine. Theirs is the human journey to find and know what fills the soul, to know you as Presence in our souls--and not there alone, but to know the wonder of heaven’s glory on the face of our messy earth.

They were looking, which distinguishes them from the great mass of humanity. Maybe they were privileged, free from the drudgery of exhausting work and thus able to watch the stars and wonder about what it all means.

They are so different from so many of their age … and ours. Caught up in work or pleasurable diversions, we fail to look at the sky … or into our souls …to wonder and ask what our lives are for. We lose our souls in the whirlwind of living.

It is for this hunger to know, to connect with their soul’s delight that I honor them. It is this that makes them icons of our humanity, symbols of the soul’s journey home … where … in union with the Love who made us … we know where we came from … where we are going … and who we are.

They followed the star with joy believing the end of their search--and the fullness of their life--was near. Coming to the manger, they looked on the human face of God, and their soul took flight in their flesh. Witnessing the union of flesh and Spirit, they were stirred to life by the Spirit within their own flesh.

We do not look to the stars as they did, but there are sparkling stars on our journeys, too, sparkling Christmas angels, messengers of the One who is Love, sent to lead us home. Follow them with joy and great hope. And bless every rocky and smooth place of your journey. They are leading you to joy.

Pr. David L. Miller