GREETINGS GENERATIVE PEOPLE OF CHRIST THE KING,
Attention and Articulation.
This is the invitation of the season of Epiphany where we celebrate the manifestation, the revealing of God through Jesus Christ. God has come to us in the flesh, as one of us to show us God whom we can see and understand.
We began this season with the Magi seeking the newborn king of the Jews. When the Magi found what they were looking for, they paid homage, they worshipped by getting down on their knees and lowering their heads to the ground in front of this king on his mother’s lap. The Magi were seekers who loved to look up and study the sky and what they saw there set them a journey that brought them to their knees and opened their treasurer chests to give this newborn king gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Attention and Articulation.
They saw a king before anyone else. These outsiders, foreigners, wise ones paid attention and articulating through their words and actions told us what they saw which led them to worship generosity. Being filled with joy brought them to their knees in front of the child, Jesus. They paid homage.
Strong’s Greek Concordance, homage (4352) proskynéō (from prós, "towards" and kyneo, "to kiss") – properly, to kiss the ground when prostrating before a superior; to worship, ready "to fall down/prostrate oneself to adore on one's knees" (DNTT); to "do obeisance" (BAGD)
At the children’s sermon on Sunday, I encouraged our kids to explore the idea of paying homage. We practiced with our bodies, close to the floor while we looked up at the cross. We gave attention and tried to articulate what it means for us to lower ourselves before God. As a kid, it’s easy to get on the floor. As an adult, it can be more of a challenge. As Magi, travelers from a foreign country, strangers to the Jewish people, it spoke volumes revealing who Jesus is. Paying homage demonstrates attention and saying why tells those closest to Jesus more. The Magi affirm what they are wondering about themselves and the meaning that will continue to unfold as Jesus lives among them.
Attention and Articulation.
You are invited to give attention to a particular word, an Epiphany word wondering what God might be revealing to you and then to articulate what God might be up to. Have the conversation with yourself and God and then expand to others, your family and friends and our faith community.
Attention and Articulation.
Our community word is LIGHT. During Carols and Cocoa on Sunday, we sang, “Christ Be Our Light, ELW 715 in recognition of our Epiphany word. During staff meeting on Tuesday, I laughed as I came to recognize how we desperately need new lights in our fellowship area and continued lighting solutions for our sanctuary. If you are not aware, the two large fixtures in the fellowship hall each provide limited lighting because each has a unit that does not work. One shines up and the other shines down. But neither shine at their full capacity which may help us to live with our stained and worn carpet. God’s light shines and what it reveals can bring us to our knees as we recognize who we are in light of who God is.
Attention and Articulation.
God in flesh made manifest. Jesus is God in the flesh, and we pay attention and articulate what God is up to so that we can all see better what God is doing.
Bold Inquisitive Belief Loving Expansively,
Pastor Connie Spitzack
