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Time to take a journey, I’ll be coming along!! Let’s think of the Babe receiving gifts from the Magi. Now think of Him grown, baptized by John the Baptist. Where did the time go? The scripture references Jesus preaching in the temple about the age of 12 and then we catch up with Him being baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist about two decades later. Who? Jesus Christ, the Messiah. We’ll stay inside and warm, let’s go to a place only you can create. It may be a place from your memory, it may be a wish for the future, a scene from a picture, a place of comfort, a place of promise . . . it’s your place!
First, imagine hearing a song of angels . . . a modern song, a childhood song. Can you hear the sound, the tune, or the words? Now, find a stable, a barn, a shed, a lean-to. Can you smell the wood, the straw, and the animals? Feel the warmth from the bodies of the animals in your “barn”? Can you see it? Do you feel it? Are you there? Is there a manger, a feeding trough?
John 1:1-18 tells us “In the beginning was the word. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us!” That is where you are right now. Where the word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . Where the manger child has brought God’s life to you and me . . . Where you and I receive God’s grace — His unmeasured love.
Epiphany — the “ah-ha moments” we stumble into - not planned, not studied. Matthew 2:1-12 reminds us of the magi that followed a star to find the Messiah and then listened to a message that came to them by a dream -”And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” (Matthew 2:12) Let’s stop and think about the star. We read about it, hear poems, stories, and enjoy a winter night filled with beautiful star light! For me the “Christmas Star” that appeared in the sky December 2020 was an Epiphany — an “ah-ha moment” I saw it, I felt closer to the birth of our Savior than ever before. Ahhh . . . reminder that Jesus is willing to guide us through our life’s journey!! “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk-in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) The most recent Christmas Star event was 700+ years ago. Typically, the star cannot be viewed in North America during daylight hours. Why in 2020? For me, the answer is simple - Our Heavenly Father is reminding us of His promise: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Are you still in your quiet place — the barn? Let’s go for a walk. We have the grace of God that is forever with us. God wants us to seek His guidance as “the light of life”. God also reminds us to be courageous, not to live in fear for He is with us. Our next visit will be at the shore of the Jordan River.
God Bless.
Pastor Dorothy Hotchkiss of Webster’s Crossing UMC and Groveland Federated Parish.
dhotch2@frontiernet.net 585/406-7030 cell/text
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