Light Has Come
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:9-12)
Approximately two years after the birth of Jesus, some of the elites from Persia arrived in Bethlehem to worship and pay tribute to the one "born king of the Jews". They had studied astrological predictions and had followed a star to the city of David. Upon their arrival they had an audience with the king - Herod - to explain why they had traveled to his region and query his knowledge of the birth. When Herod asked his own chief priests and teachers of the law, they verified the story of the travelers. Perhaps it was out of fear that they had not mentioned this to Herod before. With false reverence, Herod asked the seekers to report back when they found the child so that Herod could worship him also. However, having been instructed in a dream, they did not return to Herod, but left by a different route. Justifying the likely fear of his staff, after realizing the Persians had left without returning to him, Herod ordered the killing of every boy aged two and under in Bethlehem.
Those comfortable in the darkness will always seek to snuff out the light. Whenever a truth about us, that we perceive as negative, is revealed we instinctively want to turn off the Light. When we don't want to acknowledge that our own habits may contribute to the state of the world, our environment, or our own health, we turn off the Light. When we don't want to consider that, with a kind word or deed we could mend a broken relationship, we turn off the Light. When we dig in our heels and refuse to listen to the opinion of another, we turn off the Light. The Light has come, and we have the choice to respond with reverence or fear - with openness to new possibilities, or by clinging tightly to our own perceived power. May we become so uncomfortable in the darkness that we finally turn on the Light.
1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. 3 Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. 5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD. (Isaiah 60:1-6)
