Today is Epiphany Sunday. It is the beginning of the Season of Epiphany which lasts until the first Sunday of Lent. An epiphany - a sudden insight into the truth or meaning of something – is often initiated by some simple or commonplace experience… followed by a sudden revelation. In the life of Jesus, we celebrate three epiphanies: his birth and the adoration of the magi; Jesus’ baptism; and his first miracle (at the wedding in Cana). Each helps us understand who he is and the nature of God’s love.

Throughout the Advent and Christmas season we have been encouraged to consider the gift of “presence”…to be present to one another… and to recognize the gift of God’s presence as we receive it and as we offer it. To consider the precious gift of presence as together we explored the themes of Advent. Keep awake! Be present! Watch for signs of HOPE… be the sign of hope to someone else. Persevere in the quest for PEACE… peace in our hearts, in our relationships, in our world. Notice the stardust of JOY revealed in the everyday gifts present in our lives… gifts of nature, friendship, even simple tasks. For even in the darkest of times, there are pinpoints of light, of joy. These gifts of God’s grace, God’s presence, God’s LOVE… we carry these gifts of Christmas with us - God with us – in that still, small voice of God, a holy presence… always and ever there.

Perhaps that was what the magi were seeking, a sign of assurance and a presence of hope in a world dark with injustice and violence, a world we recognize even today. So, they studied their charts and followed an especially bright star. Following that light took them on a journey to new horizons, a quest into the unknown.

For the wise men, this journey began with a tiny little point of light in the sky, a twinkling in the night sky. A tiny point of light which was in fact, far larger and far more awesome than they could imagine. Sometimes an epiphany comes as a seemingly tiny point of light, a barely noticeable sign, and yet reveals that which is more than we could possibly imagine. The wise one - the wise person - must watch for the signs… those tiny points of light.

The first thing the wise men did in order to see that star was to look up. Others were too focused on their laws and their politics, to even notice the sign of the new King’s birth. The wise men took the time to look up . . . and wonder…and they saw a star in the east – a sign that would lead them, guide them on their journey.

We, too, must be willing to “look up” and wonder. We must be willing to look beyond our jobs and our obligations, the things that fill our hours and our days, and all the pressing cares of the world. We must be willing to clear our minds from time to time of all those things, and lift our sights higher - to the deeper matters of our spiritual life - to find signs of God’s presence and leading. Otherwise, like sheep in a field, we may find ourselves eating from clump to clump never lifting our heads, never noticing the amazing sacred landscape all around us, never checking that we are moving in the direction of “our star”.

Look up - or to put it another way - take time… to observe the expanse of the sky, to see the awesome wonders and signs we can see only with the eyes of faith. For the wise men showed us they were not just wise, they were visionary. Once they had lifted up their eyes and seen the star, they were willing to have faith – to seek its meaning and follow this vision wherever it would lead them. They were willing to leave behind their familiar surroundings, and travel to a distant land, seeking the one who was born king of the Jews. And so they went on their journey, taking weeks, months, perhaps longer …to reach a destination that was unknown to them.

We, too, if we are wise, must be willing to follow our stars – God’s signs as we perceive them – to where they may lead us. We must be willing to pick ourselves up and leave behind old, familiar attitudes and patterns of thinking and feeling, opening our minds to new insights from surprising places. Epiphanies will be revealed if we are willing to travel to distant new “lands” where we may discover new possibilities, live with new energy and vision. We may find ourselves required, at times, to relinquish our own agenda… to let go in faith – and allow ourselves to be transformed, changed, made new. This is a matter of openness …of trust. It is a matter of faith.

Many years ago, I received a postcard in the mail saying “Is God keeping you up at night wondering what to do with your life?” It was from Andover Newton Theological School. I had just become an empty-nester, wondering what to do with my life. (Signs and wonders!) When I considered seminary, something I never imagined, I exclaimed to Roger, “But what if I change?” and he replied, “What if you DON’T! Aren’t we always changing!” And my journey began into a strange and exciting “landscape” the opened my mind and my life to the wonders of faith. I am forever changed by that little postcard and the everyday epiphanies that followed in that journey of faith!

Epiphany is a Greek word meaning “to show” or “make known”. An epiphany is often surprising and full of meaning… “showing” us something new and unexpected. The kings “made known” or recognized this child as the long-awaited one making an appearance in an unexpected way, the Messiah born in a stable.

The Bible tells us the wise men presented three gifts, but that’s not the important part of the story. Legend gives us their names — Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar — but, that’s not the important part of the story, either. There are various possible scientific explanations for the Bethlehem star: a nova, a confluence of stars, or Venus at its most brilliant. But the star itself is not the important part of the story. The most important part of the story was that these “wise” men saw the star, and saw it as a sign, as something that pointed beyond itself to the holy…for these men believed there was more to the world, and to their lives, than can be seen with their eyes.

People of faith believe in more. Indeed, what people of faith see on the surface merely points to a deeper and more lasting reality. We must look up… or beyond… to see this. These men were searching for a truth, a sign of hope…looking for answers beyond the obvious. This willingness to seek, to learn, to look, or to search, is at the heart of wisdom. The magi also took risks. There was the risk of inquiry –  looking to what the deeper meaning might be. Who knew what they might learn? Who knew how they might be changed? That risk is there for us as well.

And there was the risk of the journey. Who knew what might happen on the way? …or where the journey might take them? This has certainly been true of my journey, and I’m sure of yours as well! As Dr. Suess so aptly put, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”

The story of the wise men has captured the imagination of centuries of Christians. It is a story of wonder and curiosity; a story of adventure and hope. It is a story of courage and faith. What can we learn from the wise men… that we too might have wisdom? Look up and take notice of the signs around you. Trust that there is meaning and value in these signs. Have faith that your journey will find its true destination, and the gifts you bring will be more than enough.

Amen