The Star

...they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2. 1 - 12 RSV

My daughter in law told me I had to watch this movie, "You will love it," she said. And so last week I sat down with three grandchildren watching the entire show. And it was great. Yet another retelling of the wise men and the star, embellished to bring the story to life for children and adults who needed a little more pizazz.

Throughout the movie, the children asked me if that really happened or this really happened, and it was a great bible study to point out what we don't really know about the story, as well as what the capital T truths are of the story.

For me, the great Truth of the story of the wise men is that what made them wise was not only their knowledge about the Star and their ability to follow it or their distrust of Herod, but their wisdom to "depart to their own country by another way." Because you see, once we have seen the Light of Christ, once we have known the Love of God and the movement of the Holy Spirit among us, we can never stay where we are, never stay on the same road, never be the same. But, you might say, temptations and distractions will still arise, leading us on broken paths and down dark alleys...Yes, but I choose to believe that the Light that once pierced the darkness will forever be imbedded in our soul's memory, and we must only look up to be reminded. Looking up is often the hardest task, however.

On this day that we remember the Epiphany, the manifestation of the Light to the Gentiles, I pray that wherever we are on our journeys, we will be reminded of the great Love of God and all that goes with it, following the Star and going forward on another road, home by another way.

Collect for Epiphany.

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.