Twelfth Sunday of Christmas/Eve of Epiphany
Each week, I benefit from reading a resource for preachers called Working Preacher, and this week is no exception. Black woman theologian, Vice President, Academic Dean and Associate Professor of New Testament at Chicago Theological Seminary, Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, notices these details about this story of the magi… she notices how Matthew tells the tale focused on the wise men (though women would certainly have been in this caravan of magi). She notices how the story begins in the pain of imperial rule, saying: “One cannot discount the level of conflict, fear, and dis-ease... Herod is frightened (Matthew 2:3). All of Jerusalem is just as terrified (2:3). For [this] is the nature of despotic rule. Its subjects are coerced to experience what it experiences, especially the bad and in exponential proportions.”
Stephanie continues, “Herod is at war with himself because a new king is on the scene. If he had so much power, it surprising that even the threat of another ruler would dishevel him. This is the definition of insecurity: It only pretends to be in control until someone appears to show that there is only [a small amount of] regulation. Force and insecurity are opposite sides of the same tyrannical coin. Both wallow in facade, pretension, and appearance. And yes, Matthew’s [story] is [full of] “appearance” language.”[1]
And into this scene, the magi appear with their gifts.
A star shows up so they can show up.
They travel to pay homage to one who is greater than they are.
“Unlike Herod who acts out of worry, the magi journey with worship on their mind… this wise group travels through the deceit in order to share of their treasure.”[2]
Herod’s anger stands in stark contrast to the awe and curiosity of the magi. He is overcome with fear. Upon seeing the child, the magi are overwhelmed with joy. Herod is not the recipient of honor. The horror he inflicts later upon innocent children reflect this displeasure.
In life, it seems we go backward before we move forward. There are moments when it seems that we regress before there is any progress. Maybe it is true that we take two steps forward and three steps backward.
However, sometimes there are things we need to see again and again before we [can move on] to what is next. Some things must “show” themselves to us once more in order that we may gauge and have a better understanding of our own position. Epiphany is all about this “showing.”[3]
And this is how we begin 2020… in another Epiphany moment where we are invited to see what God shows us in this particular time and place. We come, like the magi with worship on our minds… through challenges, frustrations, grief, deceit and fear and violence… and we look for a sign, we show up in this place of illumination so that we might see Christ appear.
And here, in this particular gathering of Christ’s body, we have the opportunity to give and receive unexpected gifts (sermon title from Bruce Reyes Chow).
Now, I’m pretty sure you have seen the same comic strips that I’ve seen about those Epiphany gifts—if it had been wise women, the comic strip goes, they would have brought diapers and casseroles, something far more appropriate for a new mother (or even the mother of a two-year-old, right?)… but putting that good womanist critique aside, I’m so curious about these gifts and their meaning to the Holy Family then… and if we can find any gift in those unexpected Epiphany gifts for today.
At first glance, gold is a most obvious good gift…
Gold—money to support a new family for years to come, money that will help them as they travel away from violence and into a foreign land where they can give a token of thanks for the hospitality they have received. Gold, that tends to hold its value even in times of terror and tumult… gold, we understand as a gift fit for a king but welcome to humble and great alike.
What about these other gifts though? Frankincense and myrrh, both made from tree sap… frankincense was often burnt as incense, myrrh made its way into medicine and perfume.[4]It has healing qualities and eases pain. Interpreters over time have associated frankincense with spiritual practices of the temple priest—burning incense around their prayers and sacrifices—and myrrh as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ death and the spices that would be brought to anoint Jesus’ body.
These are truly strange gifts for a toddler, except for the ways that these Jesus stories are told again and again to always remind us—even here at the very beginning—of the powerful end of the story. In the same way that we baptize infants and people of all ages and join with Christ in death and resurrection, this unexpected gift—this gift that points toward death—clarifies life.
When we fear, avoid and do not speak of death, it has great power over us. But as we claim God’s promise of the deepest love through whatever appears in life, we can become powerfully alive whatever our circumstances. This Epiphany, we too live under threats of violence and death… but as we come to worship Christ, we give and receive unexpected gifts… gifts that like gold, frankincense and myrrh remind us of the treasures that life in God bring, even in the face of death… and how Christ’s appearing clarifies life, fills us with courage and deepest love.
[1]Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, Commentary on Matthew 2:1-12, January 6, 2020, Workingpreacher.com
[2]Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, Commentary on Matthew 2:1-12, January 6, 2020, Workingpreacher.com
[3]Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, Commentary on Matthew 2:1-12, January 6, 2020, Workingpreacher.com
[4]There’s More to Frankincense and Myrrh Than Meets the Eye by Colin Schultz
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/chemically-theres-lot-more-frankincense-and-myrrh-meets-eye-180953727/
