"Fit for a King" - Sermon, January 5, 2020

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Community UMC, Quincy
“Fit for a King”
Rev. Andrew Davis
January 5, 2020
Matthew 2: 1-12

Happy New Year!!  While we only are five days into 2020, it’s the first Sunday of the new year, the Eleventh Day of Christmas, and essentially the end of the Christmas cycle on this Epiphany Sunday.  Last week, you got a dose of Epiphany with Pastor Ray sharing about ‘the three wise guys’ who we likewise heard from a couple weeks ago when we heard from “the people of Christmas.” Somehow, I don’t know if there was any falling off of any camels, though.  Never did find that in the Bible.  Nevertheless, if you haven’t done so already, tomorrow is traditionally the day when the Christmas tree comes down, the Christmas decorations get put away, and we go back to life as usual until the next holiday season comes around in November.  However, I do hope that the work of Christmas will continue throughout the year as we will sing about in the closing song.  Like our homes, the greenery, nativity set, lights, and decorations will be put away until next Advent and Christmas, while the blues and purples of Advent and Christmas will be replaced this coming week with the green of new growth and an ordinary time before we begin the journey of Lent later next month.  
Closing out the Christmas cycle and putting Christmas away for another year is always both bittersweet and a relief.  I’ve felt more joy and hope this Christmas which I did not feel at this time last year, and of course, we faced a number of challenges this last year and will no doubt face some this coming year too.  Yet, as the new year began on Wednesday morning, we have a fresh canvas, blank chapter, or whatever analogy of a fresh start you want to apply to the new year as we press on here in 2020.  
As we celebrate Epiphany, the new year, and end the Christmas cycle, we have been singing several songs about light this morning, as Epiphany is the time when the magi, aka ‘three wisemen’ that we sang about in “We Three Kings,” found the toddler Jesus under the star that illuminated the stable.  Epiphany and the ordinary time that follows Epiphany is all about light.  Rev. Dr. Derek Weber explains that
The literal meaning [of Epiphany] is to manifest, show forth, or clarify. Based on this definition, the first-century church embraced the term as a designation for the manifestation, the brilliant appearance of Christ, in the flesh for the world. This helps us understand why the Season of Epiphany follows the Season of Advent. The Messiah has come, and we now find ourselves in the season of illumination.[i]

When the Magi saw the star illuminating the stable in Bethlehem, there was something unusual about the star that caught their attention.  The Magi were Zoroastrian priests who studied the stars, so when they saw this extraordinarily bright star in the sky, they had to go check it out for themselves.  Inquiring with Herod, the Magi ultimately found the Holy Family and presented their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, extraordinary gifts that were fit for a king.  On the other hand, the sitting King, Herod was threatened by the idea of another king, so much so that he ordered the killing of all the firstborn children because of his fear and insecurity, which is nauseating to think about, yet something we have to come face to face with as well.  As Herod inquired with the Magi, it is obvious in the text
how threatened Herod was by this news; how threatened he was by the light that was seen beyond the borders of his power. [Even when we encounter the story of the Magi today seeking this new king in the toddler Jesus], It is sobering, even in the post-holiday glow, to consider how an empire might react to a challenge to its grip on the people.[ii]

Even almost 2020 years ago, the world would be changed by the birth of this new king, as the Magi worshiped the toddler Jesus when they found him, presenting their gifts of royalty, something better than a necktie, Hickory Farms gift set, socks, or underwear.  These gifts that were fit for a king were signs of the power that this baby born in Bethlehem would have, as it was God being revealed to the people in human form, causing the Magi to worship Jesus when they found him.  As New Testament scholar, R. Alan Culpepper unpacks these gifts, “Gold was precious, worthy of a king; frankincense was incense, worthy of a divinity; and myrrh was a spice used in burials”[iii] Each gift would foreshadow the ministry of Jesus; his kingship, his revealing God to us, and his death.  By giving such gifts to Jesus, the Magi offered them as  

a response to the one, they worshiped. As a way of extending their worship, making it tangible, they gave something of their hands and their hearts. The giving of gifts is a precious thing, but it comes as a way of sealing what they have already poured out. The gift is an act of gratitude, a celebration of a relationship, a sign of the condition of the heart. A gift always points beyond itself to the person giving and the person receiving. And the magi remind us that in this incarnational moment, we are something of both, receivers who want to give.[iv] 

         Gifts are a big part of the Christmas season, although I know the meaning has definitely changed in my own life.  Receiving gifts is fun, although I do find that the older I get, there’s more meaning in giving instead of receiving.  Even though the Magi gave the toddler Jesus some extravagant gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, gifts can have meaning to us whenever we exchange gifts for Christmas, birthdays, or any occasion.  I love getting gifts that I can use or eat, particularly cooking accessories (like the new toaster from my parents that will be useful, or some coffee from a new craft coffeehouse in Santa Barbara from my sister and brother-in-law).  For my family this year, I gave my family edible gifts while supporting our local economy up here.  On the other hand, gifts don’t necessarily have to be purchased, as we can give our time, volunteer for organizations in our community or stand for various causes.  Here in the church, the gift of time can be given by hosting coffee hour, serving at the Hot Pot Lunch or helping with community supper, shoveling snow in the winter or mowing lawns in the summer, or even serving in worship or leading a small group.  
For homebound members of the church, the gift of presence is always appreciated, especially for those who feel lonely during these days of winter, perhaps even offering to rake pine needles from their property, shovel their sidewalks when it snows, or other handy jobs.   While they aren’t gold, frankincense, or myrrh, these gifts are fit for a king, as they are the same gifts that Jesus will show us how to give as he grows up and teaches us how to live and love.  Jesus shares with us the gift of love and light, especially as the days grow longer by the minute each day and as God’s light will be revealed through Christ in these days to come. 
As we prepare to come to the Communion table in a few minutes, the we have the opportunity to receive the gift of God’s extravagant grace that is offered to EVERYONE, a gift which far more valuable than any gift we can ever receive.  As we receive this gift of grace and love, let us then go and be the light that shines in the darkness, sharing our gifts and our light and love with everyone we encounter.  Even if it’s simple or extravagant, the gifts we share are gifts that are fit for Jesus when we share our heart.  
Offered to you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.  

[i] Derek Weber, “Planning Notes”
[ii] Derek Weber, “Preaching Notes,” https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/epiphany-sunday/epiphany-sunday-year-a-lectionary-planning-notes/epiphany-sunday-year-a-preaching-notes
[iii] R. Alan Culpepper, “Year A” in Feasting on the Word, 215
[iv] Derek Weber, “Preaching Notes” 

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