Bible Text: Matthew 2:1-12 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes
In 1806 Jane Taylor and her sister Ann wrote and published a collection of poems entitled Rhymes for the Nursery. It included one little poem called “The Star” and it was suggested that the tune used to sing said poem was a melody titled, “Ah! Vous Dirai-Je, Maman” meaning, Shall I tell you, Mother. While this French tune is often attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart the tune is actually older than that. He did, however, compose a set of 12 improvisations based on that tune and it is from these variations that we get the tune for our ABCs and Baa, Baa, Black Sheep. Jane Taylor’s poem and this tune have been intricately linked for centuries now. Mind you, the poem’s title has changed. The song was in fact the first song I ever learned on the violin and likely the only song I ever mastered on the violin. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky, Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. While many songs and carols will place the wise men as the main characters of our Gospel passage and while it is Herod (whom we discussed last week as being the embodiment of the world’s hatred) who plays the central villain in the story, the true central feature is the star, twinkling up above the world so high. The star is what drives the plot, what gives motivation to the Magi as well as fear to Herod. It is the star that changes the course for everyone involved. The star, up above the world so high, signals God’s grace to the Gentiles as part of Jesus’ role on earth while also being the King of the Jews. Yet, it is not entirely a welcome symbol or sign or turn of events. While hindsight teaches us that the star is a good sign, for many in the ancient world a new star was the symbol of impending devastation and violence.
Matthew writes that when King Herod heard of this new star he was frightened and all Jerusalem with him. Now in previous sermons I have shared that one reason why Jerusalem was frightened was because past actions had dictated that Herod would respond with violence, and that still remained a very possible reality. However, I have since learned that for the ancient world- in fact even for the modern world- a new star is bad news. For example, ancient historian Josephus noted that a star stood over the city of Jerusalem in 70CE, just before its siege and fall. For years most believed that the eruption of Mount Vesuvius was caused by a comet. There was apparently an appearance of a new star over England in 1066, just before the Battle of Hastings. And before we begin to think that this is something that only happened in the old world, apparently a star appeared in the sky in 1835 just before the battle of the Alamo.[1] Many of us may even remember some of the social-religious movements or cults that based some of their suicidal activity on comets. A new star in the sky or strange astrological behaviour is cause for concern. Therefore when Herod is frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, it makes absolute sense. Let’s be honest, if a star or some astrological shift happened in our sky would we really sit back and think nothing of it? Wouldn’t our scientists be doing research to try and figure out the cause? Wouldn’t our journalists be predicting what will happen next? Wouldn’t we be a little concerned, maybe even frightened? And so we should be; we have come to believe that nature is predictable. Yet, God is not always predictable, thankfully, and we should be frightened when God is shifting because we have to ask ourselves if we would stand up to the challenge.
The prophecy from our passage in Isaiah plays into the star a little. The Message translates it as such, “The whole earth is wrapped in darkness, all people sunk in deep darkness, but God rises on you, sunrise glory breaks over you. Nations will come to your light, kings to your sunburst brightness. Look up! Look around! Watch as they gather; watch as they approach.” What Isaiah is describing is that Gentile nations will heap incredible wealth upon Israel. For this portion of Isaiah the prophet is describing what it will be like when the Israelites return to their land. He is not really describing what we have come to interpret as the prophecy predicting the wise men. However, Isaiah is certainly describing a shift in God’s plan.
God has also demonstrated that God is to be feared, revered, and followed. Once God is in our lives, while unpredictable, God is reliable. The star is revelatory but also reliable. The star discloses to the Magi where Jesus is to be found. Yet they do the logical thing and approach the ruling authority for direction. After all with such a major sign in the sky shouldn’t the King be aware of the star and know why it has appeared? Yet of course, Herod is quick to respond to his fear, and confronts the Magi with deceit and lies. The star however, continues to blaze and does not let the Magi down. It remains so that it can lead them to their final destination. It is upon finding Jesus (likely in humble estate) that they respond with overwhelming joy. Even as Gentiles they have been graced by God, and then the star disappears.
You might think our focus on the star ends there, but in truth this star is symbolic of Jesus’ scope. While the Hebrews in Roman occupied Israel were waiting for a Messiah, the prophets could not have predicted just how wide the Messiah’s role would become. The trajectory of the star is so broad that it does not remain only on Bethlehem, but also reaches the keen eyes of the Magi who come from afar, somewhere in the East. They are not the people the prophet expected would come looking for the Messiah. We don’t know much about them but the wise men are the first to ask, where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? They know who Jesus is, but the rest of Jerusalem is silent. This great and frightening and awe-inspiring shift was revealed to wise men from a foreign country, and it is they who taught Herod. It makes me wonder; if the star’s trajectory is symbolic of Jesus’ all-encompassing scope, then who might the wise men of our time be? The Comox Valley has welcomed and is waiting to welcome some new refugee families. I am sure they have many things they could teach us. The Presbyterian Church in Canada will likely see some transformation in this New Year. I wonder if it will be cause for fear or celebration. Perhaps it will be a mix of both fear and overwhelming joy. The next time something strange or unpredictable, something out of the ordinary happens at CVPC we would likely gain from remembering the star over Bethlehem. May we be bearers of joy rather than fear and may we present ourselves ready to worship Christ. Amen