Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12
Dear Church,
Christmas is not over. We still have more of the nativity story to remember, celebrate and ponder in our hearts.
This Sunday we gather to tell the next part, when a strange star rises in the East and Magi see it as a sign and come seeking the new-born King of Israel. They travel to Jerusalem, assuming this great new King would be found in the palace in the heart of the holy city.
He wasn’t.
It won’t be the last time people don’t find Jesus where they expect him to be.
Christians call this part of the nativity story Epiphany, but it holds more than one unexpected insight into the Kingdom of God: the star in the heavens reveals the birth of the savior to the whole earth; the so-called ‘pagan’ outsiders perceive the sign and travel across the known world to worship, while the wise experts in the sacred scripture are unwilling to make a six mile journey, King Herod and all of Jerusalem hear the news and respond with fear, not joy.
If you listen for it, you can hear the whole gospel in these 12 verses.
Peace,
Pastor Kate
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