It is the first Sunday after Christmas, Epiphany Sunday. This is the day the Three Wise Men arrived at the manger, bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They were in awe of the baby’s beauty, and they bent their knees to worship Him. In that moment of wonder, they knew there were no limits to Christ’s hope, confidence, mercy, grace, and love for the sinful world He was born into.
I learned of an legend about these kings from the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Riverside, California. We all know the Wise Men followed the Star to the manger, but as they traveled in the deserts, they shared their life stories. On the first few days, they were friendly and communicated positively. Before long, they began to argue about many things concerning who would give the first gift to the Child. They were so consumed by their arguments that they lost their way and the star disappeared.
The Wise Men wandered for several months before they came to an oasis where people had gathered for water from the well, but the well had gone dry. Seeing that these strangers were barely alive, the Wise Men gave their own water to the thirsty nomads. In so doing, the Wise Men saw the Star appear again in the sky. This parable illustrates that when we put the needs of others ahead of our own personal needs, we will be led by love to discover our purposes here on earth. The Wise Men discovered that there is only one true King, Jesus Christ. Their own honor mattered little compared to that of the Christ Child.
If we have learned anything from 2020, we should realize that our paths were dimmed by losing sight of the Christ Child and the love He so humbly gave us on that cold, wintry night. 2021 compels us to kneel before the manger, and it can be a year of blessings if we open our hearts to God’s Son. Just as the Wise Men lost their way and couldn’t see the Star because of their own egos, we, too, must realize that we see the Star only when we love others, not fight them. God wants us to love as He does, and it’s His love that will conquer the diseases of sin and man’s selfishness. We are consecrated in God’s love each time we partake of the Holy Sacraments. We become “Christ with flesh on” when we love others more than ourselves and when we let our light shine into the world. We can be the blessings for 2021 by following the Star to the manger.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Pray with me that 2021 will bring many blessings to us and help us see we are not alone. God is with us today and tomorrow, and the Star shines brightly for all of us.
Anna Hartt
