It is an anxious time. New stars have been seen in the sky. The people are disturbed. The king is concerned. We are summoned to make meaning. A council of the wise to bring peace through our words. We are fearful of instability. Rome does not tolerate it.. or understand our wisdom. So Herod has called for us.
It is the same in every age, we reach for experts to bring reassurance or at least a correct reading of what is going on. When people die of a hitherto unknown respiratory illness for which there is no known cure what consolation can be brought?
What is this journey of discovery which we have to make in order to satisfy the demands on us? What data shall we mine to bring hope to an extremely anxious people? Will the government fall? What will the Emperor do then? How shall we escape destruction? If the king is replaced then we in the Sanhedrin may be next. Do the stars foretell the end of Imperial domination? Or is it just the resurgence of overheated nationalism? We don’t know.
There has been speculation that Bethlehem will again see the birth of someone special just as it did when the great King David was born there. But it is nothing special. Just a southern market town. Yet there is the ancient prophecy through Micah: But you O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel whose origin is from old, from ancient days.
So we turn to our books, to the accumulation of wisdom as we try to bring the light of our knowledge to bear on the coming of these strangers among us. Some say they are Persian, well tutored in reading the skies.
For my part, I feel that the Law and the writings are my guide, the light which guides my way and the King’s, I hope. No astrological speculation, but the eternal Word of the Lord. It may prove difficult to say too much about Bethlehem without stoking the people’s hopes for a deliverer. Yet what shall we say if the Word points us in one direction and the world points us in another?
Do you understand me? The scriptures tell one story about the coming of the one that, he will be prince of peace yet the peace of Rome is maintained by the blood of our people. Our king is Herod whose rule is maintained by power yet the coming one according to the scriptures will base his reign on peace and justice from now until the end of time. How can we speak of this? Which reality do we live by?
O God of earth and altar (rock version) iron maiden
Groups
1. It has been said that anxious institutions attract no one. What is the Church fearful about and what must we rediscover through the coming of Christ? What is the world fearful about and how does the birth speak to that fear?
2. Do you identify with the teacher of the law’s fear that what he reads of the coming ruler will not be accepted by the King. Is there is crisis of conscience for believers? How might it be resolved?
3. As you have listened to or read the Advent and Christmas passages what promises have struck you afresh.
Jesus, Prince of peace
We confess that we often settle for a cheap and easy peace thart offends no one
Forgive us and help us to find the courage to speak truth to powerful people,
Amen
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