Mid-December Monday

The Episcopal Church meme that Brian shared on FB

reminded me of a service at our church in Pennsylvania some thirty-five or so years ago. It was probably Lessons and Carols. A nervous new lay lector was reading Matthew 2:1-11, the visit of “We Three Kings.”

Matthew 2:1-12 (KJV)

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew is faithful to prophecy and, true to his worst prophetic fears, when our lector came to the last line he read, “they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankenstein, and myrrh.” In the laughter that brought the house down, he left in humiliation and refused ever to read again. 

Elsewhere in the news, the federal judge’s polygamy, or perhaps more accurately polyamory, ruling in Utah, if upheld on appeal, could affect family life across the nation, though it probably comes too late for many men over 90.

In my heart this morning, Claire Davis of Colorado as she clings to life after being shot by a fellow high school student. The medical report says her condition is “critical” but I fear it’s much worse. Trauma to the head from a rifle shot would be bad, but it could hardly be worse than a shotgun blast at close range. Claire and those who love her are in the center of my prayer. Such news is always excruciating for those of us who internalize these things, but suffering with and for others is the essence of Christ. 

TW+