Throughout Advent and Christmastide, we’ve been following “Words for the Beginning: Advent Reminders for New Seasons” from A Sanctified Art, diving into the themes of blessing, companionship, risky hope, abiding love, holy laughter, crooked roads and a whole lot more!
Are you a planner or a just-let-it-unfold-er? Perhaps some of both?
Ever had the best-laid plans not turn out at all like you expected, and the result was better than you could have imagined? Or ever just followed your hunch and seen where the wind took you?
On Sunday, we’ll once again re-visit the Epiphany story of the Magi, those mysterious visitors from the East (Matthew 2:1-12). The Gospel of Matthew tells us precious little about them, where they came from, what their rank or titles were, just that “magi came from the east.” Christian lore and imagination has filled in the gaps, making them three kings, one for each of the gifts they brought: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
What we do know is that they used some kind of wacky first-century astronomy (who among us has ever seen a star stop over a specific Earthly location?). They had a guiding star to follow. And they were generous and from a different culture than the holy family, showing that strangers and other visitors are an important part of our Christian story.
On Sunday, we’ll re-imagine their journey and their visit and what it means for us today. What star are you following? When is it best to follow well-laid plans and when is it best to be open to new possibilities, and go “home by another way”? When should we listen to strangers from different lands and welcome them in?
I look forward to it!
In faith,
Kent
Image credit: “Star of Bethlehem” by Hannah Garrity. Inspired by Matthew 2:1-12. Acrylic painting with mixed media on canvas, © a sanctified art | sanctifiedart.org
