Matthew 2: 1-2 “After Jesus was born in the Bethlehem in Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews” For we observed his star at the rising, and have come to pay him homage’”.
My blogs for today and tomorrow have to do with the star. In tomorrow’s excerpt, the description is almost as though a flashlight beamed down from the sky and lead them (just them) to Jesus.
The magi I see as handsomely garbed, with an air of sophistication, walking directly to the appointed place. We can guess that these wise men might have been astronomers who would have been more observant of the night skies that the rest of the general population, or they could have been given the gift of vision to this phenomena. It’s a complicated area of the story and I can’t even begin to claim knowledge to. But when I asked the Rev. Arlen Salthouse, a former TBRC minister for his take on the passage, he said, “For us today the star has symbolic or metamorphic significance, as what John refers to as “the light that shines in the darkness; the darkness of world affairs, the darkness of personal loss, tragedy, despair, etc.”
I totally get this—don’t you? Isn't it great to have a light at the end of the tunnel? To have a “light bulb” go off in your mind when finally that lost “whatever” shows up in your mind? To feel the warm that sunlight gives off even on the coldest of days? Aren’t we fortunate to have our own light - the Light of Jesus. He shows us the way. He gives us the warmth of His love. We can be the “Light of Advent” in our actions, in our words, and in our deeds.
An Advent Examination, annonymous
"Advent is the perfect time to clear and prepare the Way. Advent is a winter training camp for those who desire peace. By reflection and prayer, by reading and meditation, we can make our hearts a place where a blessing of peace would desire to abide and where the birth of the Prince of Peace might take place.
"Daily we can make an Advent examination. Are there any feelings of discrimination toward race, sex, or religion? Is there a lingering resentment, an unforgiven injury living in our hearts? Do we look down upon others of lesser social standing or educational achievement? Are we generous with the gifts that have been given to us, seeing ourselves as their stewards and not their owners? Are we reverent of others, their ideas and needs, and of creation? These and other questions become Advent lights by which we may search the deep, dark corners of our hearts.
Dear Lord, I know it is so easy to be caught up in the excitement of this time of the year, when we are reminded at every turn that there is a “holiday” coming. Help us to remember the true meaning of the season. The “Light” that leads us throughout the year, Jesus. Amen
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