READ: Matthew 2:1-12; Numbers 22-24 (look for connections regarding a star and foreigners)
PRAY: Light a candle in the dim room. Begin your prayer, “Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world…” pray for Christ’s light to shine in situations in your life and/or community that feel dark. Pray for leaders and government officials, naming those who impact you. End by praying for Christ’s light to bring joy to the whole world, and repeating the beginning phrase.
DO: Online, or at a local library, look for T. S. Eliot's poem "Journey of the Magi." How does the poem combine the Epiphany story at the beginning of the Gospel with images from Jesus' death on the cross? Then look for O. Henry's story "The Gift of the Magi." How does the unexpected ending relate to the title of the story?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
3 comments:
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Herod in this story is Herod the Great, a Jewish with Roman support. He ruled over Judea, Galilee, Samaria, and east of the Jordan from 37 BCE to his death in 4 BCE. Herod renovated and enlarged the temple in Jerusalem in an attempt to gain popularity with his people, but because he was beholden to Rome, and besides that, a cruel man, he was unpopular.
The word magi is a transliteration of the Greek word used in the Matthew’s account. While we usually translate this word as “wise men” or “kings”, it’s most basic meaning is “magicians.” These men were probably astrologers or magicians of a priestly clan of Persians. Not much can be known about them except that they were gentiles – they were not Jewish. In fact, they were an extreme, exotic sort or pagan, and yet they came to worship Jesus.
While we typically talk about the “three kings”, whom the Western Church has named Casper, Balthazar and Melchior, we don’t really know how many magi there were (or their names). Tradition has assumed three, probably because they brought three gifts. Tradition gives allegorical meaning to these gifts as a foreshadowing of Christ’s death: Gold symbolizes power and riches – Jesus will be king; Frankincense was used to make offerings in the temple – Jesus is the Song of God and a holy man; Myrrh was used to prepare bodies for burial – preparing for Jesus’ death. However, the simplest meaning seems to be that the magi brought precious gifts a long way to a foreign king.
It was a widely held belief that a new star arose in the sky for a great leader. Jewish tradition also linked the hoped for Messiah to the star of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). Various scientific interpretations have been proposed for this mysterious star—comets, conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, and so forth—but the writer of Matthew makes the point that this star was miraculous. It moved to guide the magi precisely to the new king. Something extraordinary was at work, the author is telling us.
For more information see the Wikipedia article on the Magi.
APPLICATION
How do stars provide direction for travelers? Read Numbers 23:7 and 24:17-19. What is the role of a star prophesied in this oracle? Do you see any similarities with the magi?
Read Matthew 2:1-12. Where did the magi come from? Are they Jewish? What is the significance of this? How might we learn from those who appear to be different from us? How might we be awed by the gift of Jesus for all?
Read Galatians 3:23-29. Think about the ways we categorize types of people by class, race, and gender. How does baptism do away with those distinctions?
Read 1 Peter 2:9-10. Imagine that all the baptized share in the royalty of God given in Christ. How might you act differently once you recognize that in God we are all kings and queens?
PONDER:Describe a time when you experienced awe. Perhaps it was during worship, like a Christmas Eve candlelight service. Perhaps it was a conversation with someone who reminded you of Christ. Perhaps it was in a beautiful part of creation. Who was with you? What contributed to your feeling of awe? How can experiences like this help us identify with the magi who came to worship Jesus?
How is the visit of the magi an example of awe?
In the church, we celebrate the day of the magi coming as the Festival of Epiphany. What does the word “epiphany” mean (you can look this up in a dictionary if you need to)? Why do you think we associate the magi and their coming with this term?
Who might the magi who visited Jesus have been (consider searching for the terms “magi” or “epiphany” online, or in a Bible dictionary)? Who might a modern-day magi be?
Where have you seen or known those in power to be corrupt, like King Herod? Who in your community do you respect the most? Why do you respect her or him? When is it appropriate to question those in authority and power?
What does it mean to you that Jesus is a king? Is this image helpful or troublesome for you in understanding your relationship with Jesus? How so?
When you pray "Your kingdom come" in the Lord's Prayer, what parts of the world, your own community, and your own life come to mind? Where can you see God's kingdom making a difference in the world?
Post a Comment