A Story Much bigger than us

Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 Epiphany Sunday Year C January 6, 2013 For Mission Sunday A Story much bigger than us By now, Christmas is over and we are all taking down our christmas decorations. Isnt the rule that they should be down by the second week of January. After that things get kind of old. The stores have already moved on the January. Christmas is not just a day, Christmas is a season – there are twelve days of Christmas. Many of the kids in my neighborhood will be getting presents today – epiphany. The day that the wise men arrived to give their gifts to Jesus. We don’t sing the song 12 days of Christmas in church very often – it is not thought of as a hymn of the church. But I am told that there is a hidden meaning behind the song – that all points to our relationship with God.. Partridge in a pear tree Jesus Christ, symbolized as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from helpless nestlings. Two turtle doves Old & New Testaments Three French Hens Faith, hope, charity Four Calling birds The Four Gospels Five Golden Rings The Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy) Six geese a laying Six days of creation Seven Swans a swimming 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit Eight maids a-milking 8 Beatitudes Nine Ladies Dancing Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit Ten Lords a-leaping 10 Commandments Eleven pipers piping The 11 faithful disciples 12 drummers drumming 12 articles of the Apostles Creed And my one true love, who have me all of this – is God the almighty. The song is to remind us that everything that we have is a gift from God. Even his son Jesus Christ. One woman said that every Christmas as she is putting away her Christmas decorations, she always leaves one out – to remind her of the story of Christmas. And that Christmas is much more than a season, it is a way of life. and the story is much more that something we live through once a year, but that we live in all of our lives. Usually, we cant end the story of Christmas, until we hear about the wise men, who came from afar and bought gifts to the baby as we they were led from afar. Every year we read this same story on January 6th – it is an important reminder for us – that as we sit together for Christmas – that the true meaning of Christmas is not just for us. that jesus is for everyone. We are not the only ones seeking wisdom from the lord. And that what we seek and speak goes far beyond us today. Matthew starts our his story – telling about wise men who come from afar to see the baby jesus and bring him gifts. It ends with that baby sending people out in the world telling us to go out and make disciples of all nations. Matthew is not so concerned about what happened, as much he is about what will happen. He is not talking about history, but about the future. And he is not talking to those who are listening, but to those who are to come. He as each of us, where do we fit into the story of god’s salvation. What is our destiny, if God has already come. "The Church is the body of Christ, which consists of called out people building God's kingdom on earth. As beleivers in Christ, we are empowered by the holy spirit to provide a plce of refuge and to reach out to touch the lives of others by loving, caring, sharing, giving of one's service and talents. As we grow spiritually through grace, we allow our lives to illustrate the glory of knowing Christ. It is therefore our mission to life up the name of Jesus to our congregation, our community, and people of the world through evangelism, worship, stewardship, teaching and fellowship." Our mission statement reminds us that we are those people are who responsible for spreading the name of Jesus to the world. a baby in a manger. He is not a character in a children’s story. He is far more. The first time he came, he came veiled in the form of a child. The next time He comes, and we believe it will be soon, He will come unveiled, and it will be abundantly and immediately clear to all the world just who He really is. The first time He came, a star marked his arrival. The next time He comes, the whole heavens will roll up like a scroll, and all the stars will fall out of the sky, and He himself will light it. The first time He came, wise men and shepherds brought Him gifts. The next time He comes, He will bring gifts, rewards for His own. The first time He came, there was no room for Him. The next time he comes, the whole world will not be able to contain His glory. The first time He came, only a few attended His arrival – some shepherds and some wise men. The Next time He comes, every eye shall see Him. The first time He came as a baby. Soon He will come as sovereign King and Lord. (Autoillustrator.com, CHRISTMAS) The story of God is a mystery that we will never understand, and yet we are called to be a part if it. the Wise men--seek Him the Wiser men--find Him the Wisest men--follow Him May use the wisdom that God has given us- to tell the story of salvation to future generations. Amen.