Coming Home from Bethlehem

Everybody knows the story of the of the Wisemen--those seekers from the East who follow the star and travel to Bethlehem to see the Christ Child.  Everyone is familiar with the gifts they brought of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  They show up in special songs like "We Three Kings" and add a bit of spice, so to speak, to Christmas pageants.  In some parts of the world, especially Latin America, Three Kings Day rivals Christmas in importance.  But north or south, for all intents and purposes, we've left them stuck in Bethlehem.  Matthew doesn't.  In his story , they leave the Holy Family and head back home, changed forever by their experience.

I suppose we could just move on, as we often do, and forget Christmas ever happened.  But what if decided to bring something home, so to speak, from our annual sojourn in Bethlehem?  What if we stopped to consider what we have learned this Christmas season that might make a difference in our lives the rest of the year?

Maybe, if some of your neighbors have still found themselves unemployed, you've rediscovered the joy that comes from helping others.  Maybe you've realized afresh that we really are all in this together, that what you do impacts those around you.

Maybe you've joined the nation in grieving the children and adults killed in Newtown and you've come to realize that the problem of violence isn't just going to go away and that you need to take a hand in helping to find solutions.

Maybe, if you or a loved one has struggled with health issues this season, you've been reminded of what an amazing gift you've been given in your body and have rededicated yourself to treating it with care and respect.

Maybe, if you've felt estranged from God or distant from the church, you have seen once more how important your spirit is to your well-being.

Only you know what you've experienced this year as you sang the carols and knelt by the manger.  But whatever the experiences, whatever the lessons, their usefulness isn't limited to the twelve days of Christmas!  For we are invited to come home from Christmas as different people, newly empowered and committed to live lives dedicated to peace, justice and love.

In the end, these are far greater gifts than gold, frankincense and myrrh.