First Presbyterian Church                      Rev. Michael J. Imperiale

    Salt Lake City, Utah                                  December 28, 2003

"JESUS: The Lord is Our Wisdom"

Matthew 2:1-11

Introduction

In the pre-dawn darkness of the early morning, the crowds gathered in hopes of getting an unobstructed curbside view. On a sunny but cold Thursday in November, tens of thousands came, carrying folding chairs, blankets, umbrellas, and thermos bottles of hot coffee. It happens every year in downtown Manhattan. In the shadows of the huge department store, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade stepped off. There were clowns, bands, floats and the now famous, larger-than-life helium balloons that hover overhead. For decades now, this parade has marked the official beginning of the holiday shopping season in the Big Apple. "Ladies and gentleman, get your cash and credit cards ready, and start your engines." The Christmas race began just a few weeks ago.

And no Macy's Day parade is complete without the appearance of the star of Christmas. Decked out in his red velveteen suit, wide black belt and white fur accents, again this year, the jolly old elf waved from his sleigh and enjoyed the homage of the faithful who saluted his return with applause and cheers. The "Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus" wisdom among the young and old alike is quite alive. It doesn't take much to prove it. Ask any one at school, in the office, among the crowds at the mall. They'll tell you who the real star of Christmas is. It's the grand marshall of the Macy's Day parade year after year.

I. The True Wisdom of Christmas

As we come to the end of another Advent/Christmas season, I would like to consider a couple of other lesser-known parades. One began in a small town in the Galilee district of northern Israel. It meandered southward through the hill country of Judea to the hometown of the great King David. From Nazareth to Bethlehem, there were no applauding crowds, no vendors, no thermoses of hot coffee. But in its lineup were just a young carpenter and his very pregnant wife walking in route to register for a census called by Roman Empire officials.

The Bible tells us, "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken on the entire Roman world. Everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child" (Luke 2: 1-5).

At the same time, in the Persian desert to the east, another parade was slowly marching westward. It consisted of camels, horses, servants, and what you might call bejeweled magicians. Across the wilderness, desert land, these star-gazing king-makers were en route to crown the one they  believed to be the new monarch of Israel. Again, the Bible tells us, "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.' They were quoted the prophet Micah directing them to Bethlehem. They went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him."

When these two quiet, faithful parades converged, the true star of Christmas was found. The true wisdom of Christmas was revealed. Mary was full term when she arrived in Bethlehem. She anticipated the birth of her first-born knowing that this precious life within her was more than just a baby. God's messenger had announced that she was carrying the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, the Lord of Glory. And now, the Magi confirmed that message having traveled many miles over many months to honor this newborn king.

Yes, Virginia, the One who outdistances Santa or Frosty or Rudolph or the Grinch is the one after whom our favorite holiday is named. It is Christ's mass, a day of worship in honor of Jesus' birthday. He is the true star of Christmas.

II. The True Star of Christmas

Can we even imagine it? Or really understand it? The sun is 93 million miles away from Earth. The nearest star (other than the sun) is 250,000 times farther from the Earth, four light years away, 25 trillion miles. Astronomers know of about 2000 stars within 50 light years of our solar system. Our sun is 25,000 light years away from the center of our galaxy. Our limited minds fail us when we try to imagine the vastness of stars and space.

But the God who created this unfathomable universe directed a star leading the Magi from the East to the place where God's Son was to be found and worshiped. This one-of-a-kind star, which people are still debating and discussing, led these seekers to the True Star of Christmas. Jesus himself. He is the light of the world. And it was our call as Christians to discover this star for ourselves during this holiday season and to direct others to consider Jesus and the meaning he has for our lives.

As the loud, boisterous, commercial parades and shopping crunch consumed our culture during this run to the end of the year, it was our privilege and responsibility to watch for these other quiet, faithful parades: Mary and Joseph making their way to Bethlehem; Magi, wisemen following the miraculous star of God's guidance to the Christ-child. For if we missed this parade, we missed the greatest gift God has for us in life.

III. Follow That Star, Follow That Wisdom

The God who created all of the stars wants you and me to seek out and find the newborn king and presents our gifts, live our lives before him. The God of this vast universe wants  you and me to discover in human terms the fullness of worship and praise to the Lord through this little one born to our world not only at Christmas but also every day in a life of faith.

It's one thing to be able to know what Christmas is really about. It is another thing to follow the true Star and true wisdom of Christmas. To follow him in our lives - our choices, priorities, direction and purpose. For the past four weeks, we have traveled to Bethlehem in our hearts. Advent was  meant to be a spiritual journey to personally prepare ourselves to celebrate Jesus' birth in a way that will bring him delight. Yes, "Wisemen - wise women, wise people - Still  Seek Him." They didn't travel alone. Nor should we. They searched carefully. So should we.

Conclusion

Following the True Star of Christmas will affect our emotions, will enliven our worship, and will have an impact on our future plans. Although our culture today trivializes Christmas by making something else the center of our attention, it is our delight to journey through Christmas together with our eyes on Jesus. The Lord is our wisdom.

Let us pray together