EPIPHANY SERMON: Only Love Can See the Star Matthew 2: 1-12

Pastor Robyn Hogue January 3, 2016 Skyline Presbyterian Church

There is an ancient legend that tells how the Wise Men for a time lost sight of the star. They had started out with high resolve, holy purpose, and hopeful expectation. There was something awesome about the providential magnetism that drew them together on this spiritual quest. Aspiring souls had bound themselves in a common purpose ... to follow where the star led. Together, they rode the trackless miles and in their hearts beat the excitement and enchantment of a noble experience.

Initial travel conversation soon changed from trivialities and social amenities to the call which kept calling them on, the vision which kept renewing itself, the mysterious star which beckoned them forth with its silent invitation. Riding over the desert sands they began to speculate on what would happen when they arrived. Obviously, being people of considerable prominence, they began to take pride in the fact that they would be the first to discover and recognize the new king.

Along the way however, they began to quarrel. Who would make the first presentation? Who would do the speaking? Whose gift had the most worth, would be the most useful, or symbolized the most devotion? Without meaning to, and yet because they were human, they became alienated from one another. Petty thoughts filled their minds. They began to fight among themselves. The night of the first quarrel, the star was gone!

For a time they wandered; arguing frequently, despairing alternately. The star had disappeared—so had their hope and enthusiasm. The noble adventure seemed doomed; their aspiration wisps of vapor in the chill desert darkness. They became lost nomads, far from home, quest unfulfilled, treasure unshared, hearts unresponsive, eyes unseeing, and souls void of inspiration.

Then one night they stumbled on an oasis in the wilderness. Other travelers had already arrived and were gathered about a shallow well. These first arrivals had used up what little water there was to be found at the bottom of the well, and were now waiting for either help or death. It was then that the Wise Men, with no arguing, but in genuine compassion, brought out their water bags and emptied them into the well so the others might drink.

Suddenly, the bleak camp of despair became a place of hope, hospitality, and happiness. But the most miraculous thing of all was that, while the Wise Men emptied their water bags into the well, they looked down into the water and there they saw the reflection of the star. Once again they found their way. The star they lost in self-seeking, they found again in service to others. That which had become obscured by petty pride became obvious again in sacrificial sharing.

The holy light of God’s direction became evident once more as they sought to meet the basic needs of others. The hard lesson became the guiding principle of their lives; the healed estrangement became the miracle of a new relationship. And so the legend becomes a parable of great truth: “Love must be in our hearts if the light of Christ is to shine on our path, guide our steps, and show us the secret of successful relationships.”

When they finally arrived at the place where Jesus lay, united once more in purpose, two things happened, and in proper sequence. First, they fell down and worshiped Christ the Lord. In adoration and praise they gave Him their devotion. Then, in the overflow of gratitude, they gave Him their gifts. In the act of worship they understood that they came not to see, not to talk, not to gain honor, but to give reverence. It is only in the spirit of love that we truly worship. Only love can see the star which leads to the discovery of God’s wonder for our lives.

As we come to the Holy Sacrament, let us too come thoughtfully and reverently. Let’s rid our hearts of all enmity and strife, of all pre-occupation, and pretense, for Communion is a moment of truth when we kneel before the mystery of Christ’s birth. The Wise Men found God and themselves ... when they worshiped. The Wise Men found guidance from God when they were in service to others. The awe-filled mystery of our Lord’s birth compelled them to kneel open-hearted first, then open handed.

Only love can see the star. From a world of confusion and concern, from a world of war and want, from a world of tension and trauma, we come before the simple elements that dramatize a coming on our behalf. Here we remember Christ loved to show us how to live. Christ died to assure us there is forgiveness with God. And Christ rose again to show us that no power can defeat God’s purpose. This bread and cup tell us all of that and infinitely more.

In early days, Communion was called the agape meal, the love feast. So it still is. For bread and cup speak of that great love by which Christ poured out His life so others might live. Inspired by the Wise Men we now come with open hearts and open hands. May our lives be poured out so that others might live.