Light, Travellers, Fear or Joy

Epiphany is the season of the Church year when we focus on Jesus coming as light to the world. In a place like Australia, celebrating the coming of light in early January may seem a little odd, as we have so much sunshine. But I want us to think a little about light, and the place of light.

If I shine this torch into the room, it doesn't make a lot of difference, however if I shine it into a dark corner, or under the table, it makes a lot of difference.

Light can uncover things we try and hide, light also shows us things we don’t want to see.

A few weeks ago I read you a story called: Everything I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten. Here is a further reflection by the author.

Part 2 from ‘It was on Fire when I lay down on it’, P 108

…

A friend doesn't like the essay “All I really needed to know I learned in Kindergarten.”  Says it’s nice as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough. Things should go beyond ‘nice’.

He’s right. There are things I learned – and needed to learn – that were not taught in primary school. Teachers and adults would never tell you these things. Oh, they knew them all right, but they would never tell you they knew. You had to find them out for yourself or from your friends.

            [Sex, crime, power, skills and death]

Here’s the tough part of what I know now: that the lessons of kindergarten are hard to practice if they don’t apply to you. It’s hard to share everything and play fair if you don’t have anything to share and life is itself unjust. I think of the children of this earth who see the world through barbed wire, who live in a filthy rubbled mess not of their own making and that they can never clean up.

They do not wash their hands before they eat. There is no water. Or soap. And some do not have hands to wash. They do not know about warm cookies and cold milk, only stale scraps and hunger. They have no blankie to wrap themselves in, and do not take naps because it is too dangerous to close their eyes.

Theirs is not the kindergarten of finger paint and nursery rhymes, but an X-rated school of harsh dailyness. Their teachers are not sweet women who care, but the indifferent instructors called Pain, Fear, and Misery. Like all children everywhere, they tell stories of monsters. Theirs are for real — what they have seen with their own eyes. In broad daylight. We do not want to know what they have learned.

But we know.

And it ain't kindergarten stuff.

The line between good and evil, hope and despair, does not divide the world between “us” and “them”. It runs down the middle of each one of us.

…….

I wonder, what are the things you don’t want to see?

What are the things in your own life that you don’t want to see, or that you don’t want others to see?

Pride?

Shame?

Guilt?

Greed?

???

What are the things in the world around you that you don’t want to see, that you wish you could unsee?

A lonely neighbour?

Domestic violence?

Oppression?

Racism?

???

……

When friends or family are expecting a baby. We wait anxiously for news of the birth, and are eager for photos and news. Most babies are born into a family and community that loves them and are excited about their birth.

I find it interesting to see how people respond to the birth of a child.

Generally I think people respond with excitement.

But sometimes there is caution:

• Is the baby healthy?
• Will I cope with this tiny creature?
• And sometimes siblings will be less than keen on this noisy imposter who takes the attention away from them.

In the birth stories, Matthew tells us that the Magi travelled for many months, so eager were they to see the new arrival

Luke tells us about Shepherds leaving their flocks – a very dangerous thing to do.

Herod was very upset.

 The Greek word: ταράσσω [tarasow] translates as trouble, disturb, upset or terrify [p 179The Greek New Testament Aland et al, United Bible Societies]

Why would anyone be terrified at the birth of a child?

Why would anyone be disturbed by the birth of a child?

The birth stories in Matthew and Luke tell us that this baby is special, this isn’t just another child.

This child is special,

·         visited by shepherds – some of the lowliest in the land

·         visited by Magi – wealthy, but not Jewish!

·         A threat to the powerful

·         A saviour for the oppressed

I wonder if we would read this passage differently if we lived in a place where fear haunts our daily living.

If we were being bombed in Syria,

If we lived in  Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR),  where one person has arranged for the kidnapping of over 600 children in 3 years to be used as soldiers and sex slaves.  http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/07/joseph-kony-united-nations-report

Now, as in the time when Jesus was born, life is fragile.

The Magi returned by a different road.

My experience is that relationship with God through Jesus

• invites transformation,
• challenges our values,
• and encourages us to live differently.

As we look into the manger

As we look at the cross

As we share in bread and juice together

Are we changed?

How will you respond to Jesus?

Does the idea of Jesus bringing light into your life fill you with joy or terror?