Did you notice the full moon on Christmas Eve? If you did, you may also have noticed that there was an unusually bright object near the moon. Peggy and I spent some time looking at it, wondering whether it was a star or planet. It was a spectacular sight – yet one we also found to be a peaceful image, adding greatly to the beauty of the evening.

I didn’t think much more about it until beginning to prepare for this morning’s worship service. Then, reading, again, the lesson from Matthew’s Gospel, I became curious and did a Google search. I was surprised to stumble upon a reference to a comet named “17P/Holmes.” The reference explained that this comet had exploded in late November and had increased in visible magnitude by a factor of 1000. Although it was visible in generally the same part of the sky as the object Peggy and I saw, I have no way of determining if that is what we saw. Still, it is remarkable to think that something so bright could appear, remain visible for a number of weeks, and then fade into oblivion – something very similar to what was observed by the Magi 2000 years ago.

Now, I’m not trying to provide an objective, scientific explanation for the Star of Bethlehem – I’m simply not qualified to do that (nor, quite frankly, do I feel a need to try!). However, it is significant to realize that such remarkable occurrences are observed, even today.

When the Magi observed their unusually bright object in the sky 2000 years ago, they believed it to be astronomically significant – so significant, in fact, that they assumed something of cosmic importance was happening. I imagine they consulted a wide range of ancient manuscripts before concluding that this event was related to the birth of the King of the Jews. Then, for unknown reasons, they immediately set out to find this new, infant royal person.

It would have been a long journey for them – perhaps several weeks in duration. What had begun for them as an exciting discovery in the skies ended in a stable thousands of miles away, as they knelt before this small baby, offering their profoundly symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. For them, the journey to Bethlehem began with the discovery of an unusually bright object in the sky. Where did your journey to Bethlehem begin – and have you arrived there, yet?

I’ll be honest, I do not recall thinking about the Star of Bethlehem when seeing that unusually bright object in the sky Christmas Eve. I thought about Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mars. I considered Sirius, Regulus, Rigel, and other bright stars. I did notp consider that it was evidence of something of cosmic significance – and I did not consider how this might have related to the Star of Bethlehem – not, that is, until reading the text from Matthew and remembering the story of the Magi’s visit to Bethlehem. Then I found myself wondering how it must have been for them to notice something of such astrological significance after who-knows- how-many nights of seeing nothing unusual in the night sky. What must it have been like for them to conclude that they needed to begin such an auspicious journey to witness for themselves the birth of this kingly baby?

What would it take, now, for you to set off on such lengthy journey? The birth of a grandchild or great-grandchild? The marriage of someone significant to you? The death of a parent or sibling? An invitation to the inaugural ball next January? (well, OK, I don’t suppose any of us need to worry about that one, no matter who is elected!) What kind of things might motivate you to make a spur-of-the-moment decision to take such a long journey?

Many of you have traveled a great deal. Some of you have made significant journeys since Peggy and I joined you last July. Others of you may have detailed travel plans for the coming year. What have you done – or what might you do – on such a journey? Visit loved ones you haven’t seen for a long time? See some of the wonders of the ancient world – or one of the modern marvels of engineering? Do you travel to witness contemporary athletic or political events – or, perhaps, to relive historic ones? In all of the journeys you have made in life – and might make in the future – have you ever considered following a brighter than normal object in the nighttime sky? I have to admit, I have not!

When you travel, what do you do prepare, where do you begin? Do you begin by working out your transportation plans? Do you call an airline to make plane reservations, AAA to get some maps and travel guides; are you railroaders, who prefer making reservations on Amtrak? Perhaps you begin by contacting friends, relatives, or hotels at your destination to make sure you have a place to stay once you arrive. If you are traveling overseas (or even to Canada, now), do you check to make sure your passport is current – or apply for one, if you’ve never had one before? Maybe you check your luggage, to see if it needs replacing. When you travel, where do you begin?

When thinking about travel, most of us tend to think in terms of geographical journeys. We think of travel to California, Hawaii, the East Coast, another continent. We think in terms of geographic destinations; we think in terms of people we plan to visit; we consider places we want to see. It is equally true, however, that “travel” can refer to our journey through life – “travel” also can be a reference to our journey through a New Year. On this first Sunday of the New Year, perhaps it is worth considering where we begin this journey. Where do we begin this journey together, now that Charge Conference, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are behind us? Do we begin by defining this as a spiritual journey? Is this New Year, a journey with spiritual or theological implications, as it was for the Magi? Do we begin this New Year together by acknowledging that this, too, is a year in which we seek to grow in faith, to continue reaching out to serve others in the name of Christ, and supporting one another in times of crisis? Where do we begin this journey?

In a very real sense, you and I begin our journey where the Magi ended their journey. We begin our journey in Bethlehem, kneeling at the feet of Jesus. We begin our spiritual journey this year by re-affirming that Jesus is Lord, our Messiah, the One from God who redeems us from sin, death, and the power of evil in our lives. Where to begin? We begin in Bethlehem, rejoicing, again, at God’s gift of grace in Jesus. We begin by re-committing ourselves to discipleship, to following Jesus, to inviting and welcoming others into God’s family.

When I was younger, I tended to make New Year’s resolutions every year. Like most people, by the end of January I had long-since fallen off the wagon. It didn’t matter whether I had resolved to eat better, exercise more, or find a reason to laugh every day – by the end of January, my resolve had wavered and I had fallen back into old patterns of behavior. Perhaps the reason so many of these resolutions fell by the wayside is that I tried to make the changes alone, by my own will-power. What may be said of the behavioral changes I have resolved to make might be also be said for any spiritual changes I have resolved to make. What about you? What spiritual changes (or reinforcements) might you be thinking of making this year? What might you and I resolve, together, to do differently this year? How can we support one another on this spiritual journey? – by reading scripture together? By participating in a weekly Bible study? Joining a prayer group? Bringing food every month to help feed the hungry in our community? Where might you and I begin a new journey of faith together this year? By teaching Sunday School, becoming active in UMW, Men’s or Women’s Breakfast? By expressing a willingness to serve on Church Council or one of our committees? Where do you and I begin our journey of faith this year? At Bethlehem, certainly, but also here, in worship. We begin our journey this year in this time of worship, this time of praise, this time of acknowledging that all of life is lived in the presence of God and by the grace of Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. We begin here – and return here on a regular basis – because it is here that we are fed by the Word of God, and where we receive the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation. We begin here where we join hands at the end of worship to affirm that we are one people of God. We begin here together, as the people of God – and in this beginning we discover, again, God’s presence among us. We feel the power of God’s Spirit – and we learn, anew, of God’s eternal grace, offered freely to all.

On the next clear night this winter, take a few moments to look heavenward. If you see an unusually bright object in the sky, imagine what it was like to be one of the Magi wondering what they would find at the end of their journey. If you don’t see any new, unusually bright object in the sky, think about that long-ago Star anyway. As you do, know that it still shines as brightly as ever in your hearts and mine; this Star still shines in the hearts and souls of every believer in Jesus. It continues to shine because the birth it announced has not ended and will never end! Think about that Star, and know God’s peace – the peace Jesus came to give – to you and to all who live as children of God!

Amen

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