Sermon Notes and Epiphany! Updated In Defense of the Wise Men!

This post was originally written last year on January 7, the day after "Epiphany" (see below for more information on that).  However, I am re-sharing it here today because I was disturbed by something I saw yesterday and it bothered me all night!  Someone posted that they refused to include the wise men in their nativity scene because the wise men were not present at the birth of Christ.  Now, anyone who has read the Scriptures regarding Christ's birth and the subsequent events in His life (see Matthew 1:18-25, and Matthew 2:1-23) knows that the wise men began their journey to follow "His Star" (Matthew 2:2) most likely at the same time Jesus was born. However, it took them many months to travel to the place where the Star was guiding them.  Apparently, by the time they arrived in Bethlehem, Jesus was several months old or up to perhaps 2 years old. (See Matthew 2:16). So obviously, Jesus and His parents were not still waiting in the stable where Christ was born. They apparently had moved to a little house somewhere in Bethlehem. We don't know any particulars about that time except what we see written in Matthew's gospel. 

But, in defense of leaving the wise men in our Nativity scenes, this story is so important in the life of Jesus.  Their journey began at the time of His birth...and even though by the time they found Him he was no longer in the stable, their visit was extremely valuable and vital to the young family.  Yes, I believe in keeping the facts straight, but I also believe that the Wise Men are important enough to include in my Nativity Scene.  If someone wishes to be totally exact about the details...well, perhaps they should build a little house with a toddler Jesus and His parents, and have the Wise Men show up there.  (And if you really want to get particular, we really don't know exactly WHEN Jesus was born...most likely NOT on December 25th!)   But that gets a little crazy if you ask me and we lose the whole beauty and glory of the story of Christ's birth.  The Wise Men were used by God to actually protect  the child Jesus and His family from the horrible attack of King Herod. (Matthew 2:12)  You can read about the rest of that below in my original post on Epiphany.  I believe the wise men deserve some recognition, and therefore, they will stay with my Nativity Scene. 

Here is the original post from last year:

Yesterday, January 6, was the day that the church "liturgical calendar"  celebrates or recognizes "Epiphany", or the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child....

Epiphany definition:

1.   The manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12).
1.1  The festival commemorating the Epiphany on 6th of January.
1.2  A manifestation of a divine or supernatural being.
2.   A  moment of sudden and great revelation or realization.

Here is a link to some info on "Epiphany"https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/epiphany

Many churches, mostly the more liturgical churches do recognize Epiphany, or "Twelfth Night".  In my home growing up we never took down our Christmas tree until Jan. 6th, which was also my mother's birthday.  I always assumed it was because that was her birthday, and that is what they did in her home as she was growing up.  It wasn't until later years that I understood that Jan. 6th was "Epiphany", and many traditional churches recognize the visit of the Magi (The Wise Men) on that day. That doesn't necessarily mean that was the date they actually visited the baby Jesus. There are many discussions on that, mostly that it was anywhere from several months up to a year or more before the Wise Men actually arrived to present their gifts.  We just know that it wasn't on Christmas day.  They had followed the Star from their lands starting on the day Christ was born, and it led them to the Christ Child (read Matthew chapter 2).  

So whether or not you or your particular church recognize Epiphany as an actual event is not the most important aspect of this.  It's just another beautiful way to close out the Christmas/Advent season and recognize the significance of the gifts of the Magi...Gifts that actually may have helped the "Holy Family" to make their escape to Egypt when King Herod ordered all the baby boys two years old and younger to be slaughtered...just some things to ponder as you put away your Christmas things and your Nativity Scene...

And so yesterday in our church our Pastor gave us some things to think about regarding the journey of the Wise Men.  I will summarize the main points here:

When the Wise Men saw the star shining they knew that "King of the Jews" had been born. (see Matthew 2:1-12)  They had studied the stars and knew this star was significant.  And so they "put feet to their faith" and started off on their journey to find the newborn King.  

What can WE learn from the Wise Men?

• Be constantly alert---stop, look and listen...
• Be willing to act...
• When God presents us with a new opportunity, are WE willing to get up and start that journey of faith?
• What is God calling us to be doing?
• The Magi found Jesus and worshipped Him.  They presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. But their greatest gift was to get down on their knees and worship Him.
• When God asks us to do something, somehow we have to put our feet to our faith
• Rise up and follow

It's a New Year...time for a new fresh start...time to stand up and put our feet to work to serve God.

• Where is the Light of the Star leading you now?
• Prepare your hearts for action...don't get too comfortable
• Put action to your faith
• What will YOU do with that star?

The following passage is a prophecy concerning the epiphany of the Light being given to the Gentiles...The Wise Men seeing that star was the fulfillment of the Light of God's salvation, Jesus Christ, being made manifest to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews...so there was a lot more significance to the Wise Men's journey to see Christ than just a few kings traveling to see a newborn king...

Isaiah 60:1-6

1.  "Arise, shine;

for your light has come!

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

2.  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

and deep darkness the people;

But the Lord will arise over you.

And His glory will be seen upon you.

3.  The Gentiles shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your rising.

4.  Lift up your eyes all around, and see:

They all gather together, they come to you;

Your sons shall come from afar,

and your daughters shall be nursed at your side.

5.  Then you shall see and become radiant,

and your heart shall swell with joy;

Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,

the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.

6.  The multitude of camels shall cover your land,

the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;

All those from Sheba shall come'

They shall bring GOLD and INCENSE.

And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord."

Question to consider:

How does the Presence of the Holy One manifest itself in our life today? And how will we, when He is revealed to us, like the Wise Men, express our joy at seeing that "star"?  

Sermon Notes from FUMC Interlachen, FL., Pastor A.C. Myers, 1/6/2019

Please Note : I want to repeat this disclaimer here...the notes, outline, and content included here are based upon my own personal understanding of the message that was being given. I am not attempting to completely quote or reproduce this message or any other message I've shared previously. Just as each person reading these notes may glean insights and thoughts that seem to directly apply to one's own situation and interpretation, my own delivery of these messages is skewed by my hearing and translation of what is being said. Some may read my notes here and wonder if they were hearing the same message as I...and I say, God speaks to each of us as He wills...there are things He is trying to get across to each individual that may be entirely different than what the person sitting next to you in the pew is needing to hear... That is how the Holy Spirit works! He knows what we need to hear and how to apply it to our hearts. So it is with that understanding that I present these sermon notes to you.