They are known today as Caspar – Balthasar –
Melchior: the Magi from the East.
Asia – Africa - Europe Young – middle age - old
Scripture tells us
- they followed a star.
At the end of their journey, they found Christ!
1)
If we could interview the magi and ask them – why did
you do this, why journey and follow a star?
- perhaps they would say - we were called
Carl Sagan once said that we are all made of star
stuff – all matter comes from the furnace of stars.
But – that is ALL he would say.
The Christian would say more – Augustine – God became
man that man might become God. We are infused with the gift of a soul. Made in
image & likeness of God. There is a
purpose to our existence
Each person here has a purpose – a call - Know,
love & serve God.
Stay true to your call!!! Even when your husband or wife gives you a
hard time! Even when your college
roommate thinks you are crazy! Even when
your friends make fun of you! Even when
your co-workers ask why do you bother???
2)
They came bearing gifts:
Melchior - Gold – for a king a kingly gift!
Balthasar – Frankincense – from the Boswellia Tree
- worth the same as gold - Incense –
prayers up to heaven – for divinity
Caspar – Myrrh – Mysterious - From Cammiphora tree.
Can be used as incense – also used in anointing a dead body. Worth 7X more than
gold. For the sacrifice
They gave their absolute best!
My parents were very good in this – not so much the
grade – did you do your best?
Give our best – to our marriages – our parents – our
children - our families – work – school???
The question is – not the grade, but did you give your
best?
3)
The Magi went back another way.
Did not trust Herod and rightly so - but also
It is hard to encounter the baby and not want to go a
different way
Could not go back to the old ways!
The hobbit Bilbo Baggins was about to depart on his
Great Adventure– he asked Gandalf: will
I return? Gandalf said: I cannot guarantee it, but if you do return, you will
be changed.
When we meet Christ – it changes everything - how we look at ourselves – how we look at
others - how we look at life – how we act toward one another – what we say –
what we do.
Today we remember the story of the Magi – they followed a star – they gave their best
– and they went away, changed forever.
Sounds like it could be our story, too!
