What is a gift? Shouldn't the answer be obvious? Simple?
Perhaps a divine gift is simple because it's free, unconditional, is always just what you need, and it will fill you with grace.
Human gifts are another story, often filled with control, conditions and ulterior motives..
We in the Christian church have been in a season we call Epiphany - a time when we look for God's gift of Christ among us. We are very alert watching for signs of Christ manifest in the world around us, mostly in other people. It's another way of saying we're watching for the light of divine goodness in our midst even in the most unlikely places.
Epiphany season is launched with the biblical story of the Magi, the three Eastern sages, wise men, who travel on their camels (the only animal you want to make sure you have near you on the desert) across great sands at night following stars (the only way to travel in the desert as sun often blurs everything even the horizon) and bearing gifts - their entire treasury as a matter of fact - to offer to a baby.
That's a long arduous way to go just to give a gift..The story is written to engender hope in dark times, times when Herod, like Pharaoh before him, rule without benevolence or justice but with iron-fisted repression, especially hard on the poor and disadvantaged. .
Now here come these three reputedly wise men to put their hope and their money on a long shot, an infant "king" who by rumor will offer a new way of life to the world, a reign of peace, justice and love.
That's quite contrary to the politics of their day, and you can see that the story is clearly political. It is code for there is another way to do government, a way ordained by God. The Magi with their extravagant gifts are symbols of investment, appearing not wise but foolish in human terms. They put their dollar on the delusional hope of a marginal people..(Sometimes it is the rich and privileged who bring wisdom and see hope.)
In Epiphany we long for Magi among us, people who will invest in hope and a new way.. Do you hear these themes in ALL of our current political contenders for the highest office in the land?. Change. Light. Hope. Gift. Our gift will be to exercise our franchise with wisdom and a well-informed conscience..
What wise gift will you give to this infant dream being born among us? It's not a new dream. It's ancient, and it's not just about Christ. It's about the divine light in all our heroes, leaders and every person. The Indian greeting,. Namaste, means I bow to the divine in you. Think of that every time you encounter another.
Perhaps a divine gift is simple because it's free, unconditional, is always just what you need, and it will fill you with grace.
Human gifts are another story, often filled with control, conditions and ulterior motives..
We in the Christian church have been in a season we call Epiphany - a time when we look for God's gift of Christ among us. We are very alert watching for signs of Christ manifest in the world around us, mostly in other people. It's another way of saying we're watching for the light of divine goodness in our midst even in the most unlikely places.
Epiphany season is launched with the biblical story of the Magi, the three Eastern sages, wise men, who travel on their camels (the only animal you want to make sure you have near you on the desert) across great sands at night following stars (the only way to travel in the desert as sun often blurs everything even the horizon) and bearing gifts - their entire treasury as a matter of fact - to offer to a baby.
That's a long arduous way to go just to give a gift..The story is written to engender hope in dark times, times when Herod, like Pharaoh before him, rule without benevolence or justice but with iron-fisted repression, especially hard on the poor and disadvantaged. .
Now here come these three reputedly wise men to put their hope and their money on a long shot, an infant "king" who by rumor will offer a new way of life to the world, a reign of peace, justice and love.
That's quite contrary to the politics of their day, and you can see that the story is clearly political. It is code for there is another way to do government, a way ordained by God. The Magi with their extravagant gifts are symbols of investment, appearing not wise but foolish in human terms. They put their dollar on the delusional hope of a marginal people..(Sometimes it is the rich and privileged who bring wisdom and see hope.)
In Epiphany we long for Magi among us, people who will invest in hope and a new way.. Do you hear these themes in ALL of our current political contenders for the highest office in the land?. Change. Light. Hope. Gift. Our gift will be to exercise our franchise with wisdom and a well-informed conscience..
What wise gift will you give to this infant dream being born among us? It's not a new dream. It's ancient, and it's not just about Christ. It's about the divine light in all our heroes, leaders and every person. The Indian greeting,. Namaste, means I bow to the divine in you. Think of that every time you encounter another.
Gifts mean something different to each one of us: signs of love, signs of favoritism, signs of corruption, signs of generosity, signs of betrayal or selfishness. Sometimes a gift is an investment, and that is what I am suggesting. What will you give of your own treasure and yourself. to invest in the light, in the hope in the divine presence in all? What will you do? Give? .
Here's my gift to you for today.
"This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be cleaning you out
for some new delight."......
- RUMI
The Rev. Lyn G. Brakeman is priest associate at St. John's Episcopal Church, and the author of two books. Midweek Musing is a weekly column rotated among Cape Ann's clergy.
