January 5, 2025 · Rev. Derek van Gulden · Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-12
On Epiphany Sunday, Rev. Derek van Gulden looks past the Magi's gold, frankincense and myrrh to the gifts the animals of the stable gave the newborn Jesus: shelter, warmth, a place to rest and companionship. Is it so hard for us to give the same to those who need them?
Transcript
People of God, would you join me in a moment of prayer? Gracious and holy God, this morning I ask you to move the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts by your love, and help me this day not to be the instrument of my own or anyone else's oppression, but an instrument of peace in every step, in every breath, in every moment of every day. Amen.
Every year around this time, well, traditionally on January six, which is known as epiphany, we celebrate the Magi coming and the bringing of gifts to the newborn child, Jesus. We are reminded about the gold and the frankincense and myrrh. But what gifts are Given to Jesus that we are missing. What gifts would we bring? To those. Who celebrate Jesus's life, his works. To those in need of healing. Of hope. Of joy. Of peace and love.
They're there in the manger. Actually, you can look it up. There's a song in the hymnal. I'm not going to sing it to you today because, well, I don't want to ruin your day. But think about it. What gifts do we need in this world that today that we're offered to Jesus, given to him freely on that night?
What about the gift of shelter? What about the gift of warmth this time of year in Bethlehem. It is not that warm. If you've ever been in a manger or a barn, it's warmer than it is outside because the animals warm it. What would be another gift that they gave Jesus? Adoration. Adoration. Anything else but a bed? So they might have shared their hay? Undoubtedly. A place to rest their head. Anything else? What about companionship? Inviting him into their community. And acceptance into his. Oh. An acceptance. That's true.
If you think about this, these are all gifts that Jesus was given along with the other gifts that the Magi brought. But gifts that we should take and learn from all the animals that were in the manger, whether there was one or more, and learn how to give them to those who need them to share and give shelter to protect from the elements. To give something as simple as a place to rest their head at night. Companionship being welcomed. Being brought into community from the outside. And just being in each other's company. And obviously sharing some other things like wool. To make a blanket or clothing. Milk or something to drink. I'm sure they had food they were willing to share. I'm not sure what that would have been.
This day and age. My son's farm. Every cow gets different types of grain depending on a scientific formula that I have no understanding of. But.
These simple but so much needed gifts were given to Jesus, laid before him, welcomed him into community, fed him, clothed him, kept him warm. Is it so hard for us to do the same? Think about it. Amen.