Wise Men and Women

Bethlehem has cancelled Christmas in the midst of war, rubble, killing, and tragedy.

Despite all the turmoil, the cruelty, the politics, the wars, the uncertainty of being human, the historic message of Bethlehem remains. Two thousand years ago angels announced to shepherds in a field outside the city that a child was born, unlike any other the world had ever known. God’s love coming among us in the most vulnerable, innocent, and non-intimidating form.

God so loved, that he came into the rubble, the bomb crater, the corpse littered world where evil ran amuck. Why? To save us from ourselves. Many, many, years later the coming of Jesus is still buried beneath violence on the one hand and tinsel and jingle bells on the other. Despite all the evidence, of his love and our depravity, humanity continues to prefer to resent God and control its own destiny – no matter the multiple failures to find peace.

What a contrast the wise men provide. Leaders of intellect, wisdom, and wealth, seeking for the meaning of life and a purpose greater than themselves. Restless in their luxury they followed a star. Their intellect had already led them to the conclusion that they understood precious little. Their hunger pressed them to take hold of any opportunity to learn more, anywhere, anyhow. They travelled a great distance following that star. Perhaps never quite sure whether they were being foolish, but no doubt agreeing that they had nothing to lose. Their faith was such that they carried with them gifts fit for a king.

The wise men travelled without the fear of Herod who had demanded them to return to him after they had found this newborn king. Herod was alarmed and wanted the information in order to kill the one who might threaten his throne. The wise men understood that they were privileged, and not the greatest. They had no desire to hold onto power or deny others a place beside them, or above them. When they found the baby in a stable in Bethlehem they knelt in the dirt beside the feeding trough containing the newborn, and they presented their gifts; gold. frankincense, and myrrh.

Then they returned home, rejoicing. The revelation of God’s son was inspiring, wonderful, and good news for those men. Of course they were wise, so they made their way home avoiding Herod.

When was the last time we saw or heard a leader bow before God and acknowledge someone greater? When last did a leader act because of conviction rooted in Jesus rather than using God’s name to justify whatever their political agenda dictated?

I could never be as gracious as God, as patient, as forgiving, as tolerant, or as merciful. Two thousand years later he continues to reach out, to invite, to provide stars of all shapes and sizes to lead us to him. He repeats those words of the angels to the shepherds, “Don’t be afraid.”

God in the hands of men and women who use him for their own ends is someone to fear.

Men and women in the hands of God should cause fear to melt, and love and hope to arise. They should be those who frequently bow before their king, who love with extraordinary grace, who are generous, merciful, and filled with hope and joy.

Finding the reality of Jesus requires humility, and some effort; the same as with those ancient wise men on camels. We have to see beyond our circumstances, and be prepared to journey through the rubble of human destruction, religious malpractice, and plastic effigies of man-made gods. God offers all of us hope, in the midst of the rubble or our personal lives, our political lives, our international chaos. He always moves first – toward us. He invites us closer using stars, people, books, music, failure, or whatever.

The good news of Christmas is that God loves unconditionally, meets us where we are, and never gives up. We can crucify his son, we can bomb Bethlehem, we can prefer Santa Claus to Jesus, gifts and tinsel and inflated snowmen in the garden rather than a manger in a stable. Yet amazingly, he will never give up on anyone. When we turn off the Christmas lights and look up to the heavens we might see a star that reminds us to search, that there is indeed more to life, and perhaps this year we will hear his quiet voice inviting us to come closer and to not be afraid.

In a world where there is very little good news right now, His light still shines in the darkness, and will never be overcome, or extinguished.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angels voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the Wise Men from Orient land

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace

Chains shall He break, for the slave is my brother

And in His name, all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim