Epiphany Light

Star of the East, the horizon adorning;
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Light becomes a welcome sight when you're walking in darkness. The brightness of the light will guide you out to wide open spaces and clear your vision. In darkness you were blind. In the light you can see clearly.

The Magi (wise men) were probably from around the vicinity of modern day Iran. They were astrologers who studied the stars and determined the fates by them. Most likely, they had access to any sacred writings that had references to stars that marked significant events for various nations. So, when they read the words from Numbers 24:17b (a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel) they searched the heavens for this star. It meant that a special king (marked by the word "scepter") had arrived. When they saw the star they went to Israel.

Of course the first place they would go would be Jerusalem, Israel's capital and holy city. Where else would the king of Israel be born?

So imagine these foreigners walking the streets of Jerusalem asking people, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." The people of Jerusalem would be aghast and delighted at the same time! Except for King Herod. He was an Idumean (or Edomite-- a descendent of Esau, Jacob's twin brother). The Numbers 24 reference had more to say about this king:

Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir (Edom's capital) also, his enemies shall be dispossessed. Israel (Jacob) is doing valiantly. And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities! (vv.18,19)

Herod must have been shaking in his boots. If this newborn child is "the one", Herod would have to quickly dispose of him in order to save his own neck.

The star proclaims the King is here;
But, Herod, why this senseless fear?
For He who offers heav'nly birth
Seeks not the kingdoms of this earth.
(Lutheran Service Book 399, v.1)

Why indeed! Herod chooses to remain in darkness. That's what happens when power goes straight to the head. In reality Herod had nothing to fear. He could have gone with the Magi to Bethlehem to behold and worship the infant King. But instead he sent the Magi to find Jesus for him in order to kill him. And just to make sure the job got done thoroughly he ordered a massacre. He asked the Magi when they first saw the star so that he would know how many little boys to kill.

Wouldn't you have loved to be one of the Magi? Honestly though, we're more like King Herod, so concerned about our status. You and I want to be kings and queens, and we will destroy, in one way or another, anyone who comes along and threatens our royal standing. This is darkness.

This blog entry is also too long. More some other time!