Dear friends in Christ,
This week we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, remembering the travelers from the east who followed the star to Bethlehem. “When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:10-11)
When I saw this beautiful rainbow this morning, I was reminded of the star. It’s a sign of promise. Something to follow so that we might find joy. There are legends about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but when we follow the sign it is not worldly treasure we find but the presence of God in our midst. And like the travelers, when we see God we are moved to pay homage. To bow down and worship. And to open our treasure chests and offer back to God a portion of what we receive.
This is the essence of the Christian life. To follow the star, the light of the world, Jesus. To recognize we are always in the presence of the holy, and be filled by that holiness. And finally to let that holiness overflow, back to God and into the world, so that peace and love abound.
May the grace and peace of God be within us and among us, today and always.
Kristine+