Saturday, December 27, 2014

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

Friday, December 26, 2014

Friday, December 26, 2014



Friday, December 26, 2014

Matthew 2:1-3, 9-11

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.' When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. … Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. 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.

Love’s gift

Isn’t it odd that the one
who fears is the king who
has all the power, not those
who followed the star
to that which bids them
kneel and say, “We are
here for you, even though
we know you are here for us,
come to save us …
from ourselves?”

To the king the child is
threat, to the magi a gift.
Bearing gifts to the one
who is gift, they know
 the child appears that they
may discover what it means
to be human, to give themselves
away, to fall on their knees
in love with the Love
whom Love sends. Kneeling
in dirt and straw where sheep
walk and relieve themselves
doesn’t matter. Who worries
about the mess when love
fills them to the brim?

All that matters is following
whatever star Love sends to
guide you to the place of freedom
where fears disappear and all that
matters is giving yourself to what
love bids you do and be.
Love casts out fear, the Love
by which we are loved and
the love with which we love
what Love gives. This
I know … and always will.

The wise men loved in their
learned way, not emotional
types, but making their way
across deserts and cold what
moved them if not the love to
know, to discover and give
the gifts they carried? It
was love, hunger for union with
the Mystery they sought. 
They knew love must give 
or it is not love and without love 
there is no humanity.

They followed the star seeking
the child that came for them 
that they in love might kneel 
and learn how to be human, 
given to the One Love gives; 
kneeling in the dust they,greater 
than the king, knew no fear
only the love, joy and hope 
Love gives every time we bow 
before Love’s gift.

Pr. David L. Miller