On December 1st, we turn the corner on our three-year lectionary cycle, and begin again reading the Gospel of Matthew. As you probably know, Matthew and Luke’s Gospels provide all we know about the birth and childhood of Jesus. And, since there are some similarities between the two accounts (primarily having to do with the Virgin Mary’s part in the whole story), we often combine the two Gospels’ stories into one narrative. I have no doubt we’ll see that happen in the coming weeks!
The end of all the “birth narratives” comes in the second chapter of Matthew, when we learn that some astrologer/philosophers “from the East” journey to Judea because they were looking to find “the child who [had] been born king of the Jews . . . [They] observed his star at its rising, and [had] come to pay him homage.” I have to wonder WHAT they thought they were going to find. Where were they going to be directed? They expected something “royal” — only such a birth would be accompanied by a heavenly wonder such as the star. Indeed, they went to King Herod to get directions! It turned out, however, that the King didn’t know the answer! And he had to engage the Magi in the endeavor of finding the “new-born king.”
So off they set, following their astrological charts until the found the “place where the child was.” When they got to the house (Not a manger! This is Matthew!), they went in and found Jesus and Mary, his mother. And they knelt in homage, and brought forth the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Strange gifts, to be sure, but gifts representative of their home; gifts they believed would be appropriate for royalty.
But, you have to wonder what they were thinking when, "having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.” “What manner of royalty was THAT? That was no palace!” you can almost hear the conversation! Now I know that much can be (and has been) made of the imagery in the story, but what makes me pause for a second is the idea that, while they went looking for something particular, they found something quite different. They went looking for the King of the Jews . . . and they found Him. But Jesus turned out to be nothing they expected.
As we make our way through Advent this year, this four-week build-up to Christmas, I wonder what we might have in mind about what we’ll find at the end of our journey? Are we so accustomed to all the stories, all the imagery - even expectations of the Christmas Pageant -that our expectations might keep us from being surprised by a “King of the Jews” who looks nothing like we imagined? And, since he may look like nothing we imagined, might he call us to join in a mission that we can’t imagine as well?
Lord Jesus, be born anew in us this season!