January 6th is Epiphany, the day the Church celebrates the manifestation or revealing of Jesus to the world as the Hope of the world, as the Light of the world which is caught in the darkness of sin, and as the Salvation for all of the people of the world, regardless of who they are, or what their social status or wealth or importance in the world, or what their ethnic, racial, or geographic background. We mark it as the day when the Magi come to worship the baby Jesus and offer him their gifts, which acknowledge who and what he is: gold for the King, frankincense for the Priest who uses it in the offering of sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins, and myrrh for the one who will die as the Sacrifice for the saving of all the people of the world (myrrh was a bitter perfume used to anoint or prepare bodies for burial). There is a popular bumper sticker/cliché: “Wise Men Still Seek Him.” That may be true, but the greater truth is that God still sends Wise Men to inspire and guide us, to teach us how to make the journey of faith. As is true throughout the scripture, God also demonstrates in the visit of the magi that God’s love, wisdom, inspiration, call, and salvation are for all people, specifically including all of the races and nations. One of our great American poets, Lanston Hughes wrote:
Carol of the Brown King
Of the three Wise Men
Who came to the King,
One was a brown man,
So they sing.
Of the three Wise Men
Who followed the Star,
One was a brown king
From afar.
They brought fine gifts
Of spices and gold
In jewelled boxes
Of beauty untold.
Unto His humble
Manger they came
And bowed their heads
In Jesus’ name.
Three Wise Men,
One dark like me –
Part of His
Nativity.
We sometimes take for granted the notion that we are completely open and without prejudices. We sometimes need the Wise Men to inspire and challenge us to be certain that our faith in and commitment to the God of all people is sincere and true.
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An Epiphany prayer from India.
We intercede before you for beloved Hindustan,
And our prayer is the same
As that of ancient seekers after you:
“From darkness lead us to light,
and from shadows to reality.”
Mercifully grant that the millions of this land,
Forever engaged in arduous pilgrimages
In search of peace and satisfaction,
May at last lay down their weary burdens
At the feet of Him who gives rest and peace
To all those who labour and are heavy laden.
May they come at last to the haven of peace,
Even Jesus Christ,
And find in him your own response
To their age-long quest.
To that end, may the frankincense of India’s meditation,
The myrrh of its renunciation and sacrifice,
And the gold of its devotion,
Be laid at the feet of Jesus Christ,
And may He be crowned Lord of all.
Amen.
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Even though we are past Christmas, consider the following:
Christmas Eve Accident
Three men die in a car accident Christmas Eve. They all find themselves at the pearly gates waiting to enter Heaven. On entering they must present something related to or associated with Christmas.
The first man searches his pockets and finds mistletoe, so he is allowed in.
The second man presents a candy cane, so he is also allowed in. The third man pulls out a pair of stockings.
Confused at this last gesture, St. Peter asks, "How do these represent Christmas?”
"They're Carol's."
The first man searches his pockets and finds mistletoe, so he is allowed in.
The second man presents a candy cane, so he is also allowed in. The third man pulls out a pair of stockings.
Confused at this last gesture, St. Peter asks, "How do these represent Christmas?”
"They're Carol's."
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In the midst of your busy schedules, please be intentional about finding some time, even 15 minutes a day, to connect to God. Please continue to do your reading and writing. Remember, you can call Rev. Dennis E. Dorsch at any time if you have questions or want to discuss your reading at 410-744-5127, or e-mail at ded10@aol.com.
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