Psalm 84; Jeremiah 31:7-14; Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a; Matthew 2:1-12

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star
in the East, and have come to worship him.”

Last month I went with Wade to the Bowling Green planetarium to see a presentation on the Christmas Star. It was mostly fluff about Christmas traditions and what not, but it did offer a couple of explanations of what it was that the wism men may have seen. I know some who would either fear or hail a physical explanation of what happened as a de-mythologizing of the event. However, I’ve never quite understood why it is that understanding the science of the physical action undermines the spiritual meaning or intent. For while science does a wonderful job of explaining “how,” it cannot answer “why”.

Most of the Christmas readings are filled with joyous celebration, for the savior has been born. The OT readings are positively giddy with excitement over the coming of God’s chosen. And Paul gives thanks for God’s blessing, our life in Christ. But Paul does something else that is interesting; while giving thanks for our destined salvation, he seems to recognize that there are going to be those–even among the believers–who do not yet see the full glory of God’s work in Christ:

remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the
knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know
what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious
inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his
power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might

“That you may know.” Of the list of things we might need to know, the item I identify with most is “the hope to which he has called you.” I’m not sure I get what that is. Sure, I could reel off a probably acceptable answer on a theology test, but I’m not sure that I generally feel that hope.

The wise men had great faith, but they knew not exactly what is was they came for. Their questions discomfitted all of Jerusalem. Sometimes I wonder if those who Paul was praying for don’t also discomfit those who already know–or think they do.