Transition Meditation 12/23

Pioneering:  Meditations for Our Transformation

Carlisle United Methodist Church

Number 14                                                       December 23, 2012

Christ Comes

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.  “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”   Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”  After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Matthew 2:1-10.

What does this passage say to us about our transformation journey?  How do the experiences of the Magi mirror our own on our wilderness travels?  I’d love to know what you think. 

Here’s what I think we have in common with the Magi.

Because of their steadfast observations night after night, and their keen sense of what was ‘normal’ in the universe, the Magi discovered an auspicious and completely unexpected event in the night skies that pointed to the land of Judea.

Their knowledge came from years devoted to observation and comparing notes, sharing their sightings, perhaps honing their abilities to predict the future positions of the moon, stars and planets, and their rising and setting.  To be a Magi, one had to devote one’s life to observing and recording a regularly changing universe.

Magi were also well-read, poring over scrolls and tablets, looking for what others observed in the preceding years, and perhaps centuries.  These writings were not just of the sky, but of history and prophecy.

What they observed over many nights led them to believe that a new king was coming.  Looking at writings and the position or the motion of the star, they surmised that Judea was the place for this royal birth.  And these Magi agreed that they would travel a great distance to witness and worship.

But when they arrived in Jerusalem, no one knew what they were talking about.  Herod the King and the entire city were greatly disturbed.  Rather than dismiss this as some foolish prank, Herod called in the religious authorities and questioned them about this Messiah.

A scribe found a passage that the town of Bethlehem was the place prophesied to be the birthplace of the Messiah of Israel.

Consider the situation with the Magi.  They started out expecting to find a king, based on their assumptions about royal matters.  They were looking for a palace and the celebration of a royal birth.  Not finding a future king as they expected may have disappointed them, but they not deterred.

Why did they not turn back?  I believe it was those prophetic words of scripture, more than King Herod’s commission that encouraged the Magi to resume their search.  And their determination was rewarded when the star reappeared.

In the final stages of their journey, the Magi became open to radically new possibilities.  So when they arrived at the house in Bethlehem where the Holy Family resided, they were convinced beyond a doubt that this was the king the star and the prophecy had lead them to find and worship.

How is it with us?  What were we expecting when we began this wilderness journey many months ago with hardly anything more than a dream to guide us?  Did we expect to find something that matched our experiences, something that looked and felt like what we had been used to for the years before?  Wouldn’t we have assumed the same as the Magi?

Christmas 2012 marks the last Christmas in our three houses of worship.  There are traditions to end, traditions to keep, and traditions to start.  We will celebrate next Christmas in our transitional home; much like the Israelites celebrated the second Passover around the tabernacle in the desert, and not the Temple in Jerusalem.

But in the absolutely most important way, each Christmas is the same celebration of Christ’s coming.  Regardless of the language, litany, music, formality, or Christian heritage, the Son of God who came to us in Bethlehem is the same Christ yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

When they started their long journey, the Magi were looking for an entire kingdom celebrating the birth of a royal heir.

They found far more than they were looking for, far more than they ever expected.  They discovered the turning point of all history – the Christ Child, the Messiah.

We began our journey almost two years ago without even a star, but with each of us having a piece of a vision that meant different things to each of us because of our life experiences, our training, our upbringing, and our expectations.  Having a church name (that blessed baby’s name) is like the appearance of the star.  And the passage of scripture that joins our little pieces of vision together into The Vision is from Jeremiah:  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

God wants us to succeed and prosper on our journey.  And that is why, to open hearts and thirsting souls, God sends us the gift of hope with this promise: that, against all fears, Christ comes.

A very blessed Christmas to all!!

Common Prayer.  O Jesus Christ, come into my heart and capture me forever.  AMEN.

To think about:  How does Christ come to me?  Why does Christ come to me?  How can I share Christ?

Transformation Team emphasis for the next two weeks:

The year before us; implementing the Plan of Union; the focus groups starting up.

Please address your feedback and comments to Charles L. Reynolds at papoo99@comcast.net.  Or you can reach me by mail at 5 Bayberry Rd, Carlisle PA 17013.  I’d really like to hear from you!