Epiphany of the Lord
“The Light Has Come”
Second Sunday after Christmas
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Matthew 2:1-12 and John 1:10-18
As we begin another new year, one that has unfortunately, already been riddled with acts of violence, let’s pause to consider these questions:
(Pause after each question to allow congregation to ponder.)
- Where did I witness hope answered in 2024, and what hope do I have for 2025?
- Where in Advent and Christmas did I find peace? Where do I long for peace in 2025?
- What was the most joy-filled experience that I had in 2024? What joy can I expect in 2025?
- In 2024, where did I experience my deepest moment of love shared with another? With Jesus? How can I share the love of Jesus with others in 2025?
One of my commentaries noted that after we learn to “keep” Christmas, we need to learn
to give it away. Shout it from the mountain top.
Going and telling the good news of Jesus’ birth is a time for celebration and rejoicing, and yes, evening shouting it from the roof tops.
More importantly, as God gave Christmas to us, he calls us to then give it away. We have all heard “it is more important to give than receive.” It is truly God’s plan for us.
As we think about the new year ahead, how do we find those moments to give?
If we reflect back on our Christmas Eve story of Panov’s Christmas, he was able to give out of his generosity because he was prepared to do so.
He was not only prepared, he looked for opportunity, and he welcomed those outside his home to come in and fellowship with him.
He had a talent for shoe-making, and stored an extra pair on the shelf for just the right recipient to be clothed with the gift of love, the same love he had poured into every stitch of making those shoes. A love that spilled over into a generous act of giving. Where can we sew love in 2025?
Let’s note, too, that while Panov was prepared, it was Jesus who sent these people before him.
Jesus created the opportunity for Panov to pour out his love to others he met outside his door so that he could bring them in and warm them, feed them, and clothe them.
Are we so busy, that we are missing the people that Jesus places before us, those longing to be filled by the light of Jesus that they have not known in life. A light and love that brings purpose to our lives, that causes us to want to help others, rather than being filled with such a dark emptiness that leads one to violence and death.
So one way we can give Christmas in the new year, is by giving to those who God places before us, even those we may not recognize as the ones being sent to us for help. It teaches us to look for Jesus in every moment, doesn’t it?
Another way we “keep” Christmas in the new year is by being intentional with our offerings and talents and gifts.
We can plan individually, and as a group with new year’s resolutions, let us think intentionally about how we want to share the light and love of Jesus with others in our congregation, in our community and in our world.
How will we choose to shout and rejoice with others? How will we share the good news of Christmas as Jesus comes to us in many forms? Will we recognize them when they show up at our door?
Each time you open your door at home, and we open these church doors, what do we see? What do we hear?
Sometimes we find ourselves talking so fast, we forget to listen, and listening is the beginning of understanding another person’s need.
How do we learn to be mindful of what we see on the streets and sidewalks? Do we take time to notice the homeless and offer warmth or clothing or food? Do we notice the server in the restaurant who has small children at home to feed or college tuition to pay?
When someone comes to us, how do we respond? Do we respond with empty words, or actions filled with love and compassion?
Each new year is an opportunity to reflect back, and begin again. If we didn’t get it right last year, we have another chance to do so this year. Maybe we got it half right, or all right. In either event, we have a new opportunity to redo or repeat our actions in response to God’s love for us, and to share the love of Jesus with others.
As each year is an opportunity to begin again, we might do things new, and perhaps, it might even require doing things different or beginning a new project.
Perhaps each person can go home today with a new set of eyes and ears to be more attuned to what they see and hear around them.
Where can I volunteer? Where can I offer someone help for an hour or two today, or this week? Who can I feed or clothe, or offer a few moments of warmth and love? Who can I rejoice with today?
John’s use of “the Word became flesh” speaks to us of the Incarnation.
Through the wise men, the magi, the flesh is revealed, and reaffirmed by John the Baptist.
Christmas helps us understand God, his love for us, and it teaches us to reflect God’s love to others. God is depending on us for that action.
The wise men go to pay homage, or their respects to the new king, the savior, the messiah prophesied. They follow the star, the light that is provided, until they find Jesus, and they give him gifts usually awarded a king.
Gold, a precious, bright metal that is valuable and doesn’t tarnish, represented Jesus’ kingship.
Frankincense, an incense used in religious ceremonies and for healing, represented Jesus’ divinity and priestly role.
And myrrh, a product used for embalming and preserving the body, was to be used for Jesus’ death that was to come.
God has been speaking to humans all along, and Christmas is God’s shout! “I love you this much!”
Christmas is God saying, “I am here with you. I love you. I am bringing hope, and giving you warmth through peace. I am clothing and feeding you with joy.”
“I am here, God, Son and Holy Spirit.”
You have been given the greatest gift. Keep it. Know it. Then, pass it on. It is the greatest gift you can give.
Unfortunately, this New Year has begun in tragedy. Let us be reminded, however, grace and truth are here. Are we ready to begin anew with the gift we have been given? Are we paying proper homage to this gift, and are we ready to pass it on to others? Let us look around and be aware of those who stand in need to receive it.
(Silent Reflection)