Wednesday, December 24, 2014

December 24: It's True; Wise Men Still Seek Him



December 24:


Matthew 2:1-2  After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’"


Since I am an English teacher, symbolism is a significant part of my world.  In fact, I can’t go anywhere or read anything at face value.  Whether I consciously try or not, I am always looking for symbols, analogies, and connections. 


When it comes to symbolism, one of my favorite pieces to read with students is the short story, “The Masque of the Red Death,” by Edgar Allan Poe.  Even though he is not one of my favorite authors, this piece is just so much fun to dissect.


If you are not familiar with the piece, Prince Prospero, a spoiled, selfish ruler, decides to lock himself and several of his friends in his castle in order to escape the “Red Death” (the Black Plague) that is destroying the populace of his kingdom.


After six months of seclusion, the Prince throws an elaborate masquerade ball to ease the boredom.  Since he is quite eccentric, his only requirement is that everyone dress in costume and wear masks. 

When someone dares to boldly wear a costume that resembles the Red Death, Prince Prospero chases the disrespectful party-goer from one end of his castle to the other, which so happens to run from east to west. In order to do so, he must pass through seven rooms. Each has a particular color scheme in a particular order: blue, purple, green, orange, white, violet, and finally, black. In the final, black room, the furnishings are a blood-red color, and there is a giant, imposing clock in that room as well. 


You can probably guess how the story ends. Even if you can’t guess, read it for yourself because I’m not telling you!


What I will tell you is that, through fits and starts, the students eke out the symbolism of the chambers.  They reflect the life cycle – there are seven rooms (the symbolic number of completion), the chambers run east to west, and the colors even symbolize the various stages of life. 


In today’s verse, the east-west symbolism is significant as well. 


Typically, East is associated with origins or beginnings.  For example, the sun rises in the East. Not only is it the start of a new day, it is the beginning of another day of life.  The possibilities are endless.  There is anticipation and hope. 


The Magi, or wise guys, followed the star in the East, to find the new king.  If we are going to be really honest here, the only thing that makes sense about that statement is the fact that they were following a star.  That’s because the Magi were sorcerers (magicians) and astrologists. Neither of these occupations is typically associated with God or Christianity.   Nevertheless, the star was significant to them, so they followed it to the place where the new King of the Jews was.


I’m no Biblical scholar, but my takeaway from this is that there is a God-shaped hole in everyone.  The Magi did not appear to be godly men.  They were employed by important men such as rulers and kings, but religion did not seem to factor into the mix.  Even so, the Magi seemed to understand the significance of this new king’s birth – to the point that they dropped what they were doing to travel many miles in order to follow this star.


Stars, their patterns, and movements were the livelihood and expertise of these men.  This star was obviously something special, and they recognized that fact.  They followed THIS star to worship the new king.  From a worldly vantage point, that makes no sense.  From a Kingdom perspective, it shows that all of mankind longs for God – the only, worthy, and just King. 


Likewise, the star was in the East.  All of the symbolism converges on this one point.  With his birth, Jesus Christ, the new star, signified a new beginning.  This child’s birth and later, His death, would allow mankind to be redeemed by grace and restored as God’s heirs.  His birth, and later, His death, would allow mankind to have a more personal connection with God via the Holy Spirit, also known as the Counselor.  His birth was the hope of world and the anticipation of eternal life for mankind. 


Even today, the star is in the East.  We have the hope of better things to come and the anticipation of Christ’s return.  His return will signify another new beginning – a new Kingdom.  If we are smart, we will continue to look to the East, following His star and worshiping Him with all that we have and are, until He returns.


Today’s Magi need no magic or astrological knowledge.  Wise men and women keep their eyes trained on the star in the East and still seek Him – His character and Will – through prayer, the Scriptures, and  close communion.  When we do, He has promised that we will not be disappointed.


Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”


Psalm 16:11You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”


Philippians 1:9-11I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ[b]—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”


Challenge: Be in the moment all day today.  Hug, listen, laugh, and celebrate.  There will never be another day or another moment just like this one.

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