On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” vs. 11
Matthew 2:1-12
When Matthew wrote his gospel he included the story of the wise men to illustrate that the birth of Jesus had been anticipated centuries before when Isaiah wrote that one day a light from God would shine in the darkness, and that kings bearing gifts would come to Judea. It’s a simple story, one that contrasts nicely with Luke’s account of the shepherds’ visit to the Bethlehem stable, and that provides the central theme for the festival of the Epiphany. The central feature of the story is of course the star, a light from the heavens that illuminates the presence of the Christ Child. This is the season in which we celebrate the revealing of God’s glory in Jesus and are reminded that the Light of Christ is in the world now, and that the darkness of despair and fear will never be able to overcome it. In recent weeks, as the Covid variants continue, the whole world has been caught up in a spirit of pessimism and negativity. Media broadcasting focuses on distortions and deceptions and implies that disaster is on the horizon. We need a strong dose of Epiphany right now! The Light shines in the darkness and will never be extinguished. The nay-sayers can never be given the last word!
Thought for the Day: What significance do stars have for me?
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