Pastor Jenness & Tim Lancaster in the Holy Land....

Please do not refrain from praying for Pastor Jenness and Tim Lancaster as they tour the land where Jesus walked in the coming days...

Their itinerary is as follows:

January 27th, leave USA for Tel Aviv...fly from RDU to ATL, and then to Rome, and then to Tel Aviv...

28th - transfer to Tiberius, Israel...

29th - Beit Shean, Baptismal Site, Boat Ride, Jesus Boat, Tabgha, Peter's Primacy, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum...

30th - Cana, Nazareth, Meggido, Ceasarea, and overnight in Jerusalem...

31st - Jericho, Qumran, and Masada...

February 1st - Shepherd's Fields, Bethlehem, Haas Promenade, Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Mount Zion, the House of Caiphas, the Upper Room, King David's Tomb February...

2nd - Pool of Bethesda, Church of Saint Anne's, Antonia Fortress, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Southern Wall Excavations, Western Wall, Cardo...

February 3rd - Ein Kerem and Garden Tomb, with free time in the afternoon...

February 4th - off to Rome for a free day, with a night's stay at the Appia Park Hotel.

February 5th - Back home! Arrive at RDU around 9 p.m.

Jesus and Farmers

Honoring the memory of Chester W. Smith...

Note some of the more significant times the Scriptures reference farmers and farming:

Matthew 13

The Parable of the Sower

1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear."

10The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

11He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13This is why I speak to them in parables:

"Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: " 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'

16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

The Parable of the Weeds

24Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

28" 'An enemy did this,' he replied.

"The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

29" 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' "

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

31He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

33He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

34Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

"I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

36Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."

37He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

40"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

James 5

Patience in Suffering

7Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy…

…13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

In Memory of Chester W. Smith...

There will be an empty chair at the UM Men's Breakfast next month. Chester, we'll miss you...

Chester W. Smith, a life long resident of the Pricetown Community, was a farmer. He was a member of the Wayne County Livestock Association and in 2002, he was awarded the Outstanding Producer's Award. He was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church and was retired from Pricetown Volunteer Fire Department, having been a founding member. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Audrey Tyndall Smith of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Jo S. and Shelton Southerland; a daughter-in-law, Kathy S. (Mrs. C.W.) Smith, all of the Pricetown community; four grandchildren, Sheri S. Stroud and husband, Jerry, and Brandy S. Rouse and husband, Greg, all of Seven Springs, Kristy S. Brock and husband, Russ, and Holly S. Williams and husband, Jeremy, all of Mount Olive; six great-grandchildren, Maci and Reid Stroud, Smith and Vanessa Southerland, Quinton Rouse, and Holden Williams; a brother, David Vann Smith of Pricetown; two sisters, Lucille S. Ivey of La Grange, and Mattie Lee S. Hamm of Kinston; numerous nieces and nephews.

Hearing the Right Voice

Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Mark 1:9-11

9At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

John 1:29-34

John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."

32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that [unless] the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

In none of these accounts are we told who, exactly, heard the voice of God that day. Maybe one specific person heard it. Maybe two. Maybe every one who had an open mind that day; Revelation chapter 1 says not everyone will listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say: “Let he who has ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches…”

The fact of the matter is, though, that someone heard the message, received the message, documented the message, and shared the message – and now, everyone has access to the message, as it is now contained in God’s Holy Word.

God speaks to His people primarily through His Word… Romans 10:17 says, “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

Sometimes God speaks to His people through supernatural means, as when he spoke to the prophets through a still, small voice, as in 1 Kings 19:12 – “…And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still, small voice,” and in the story of young Samuel in 1 Samuel…

God also speaks to us through experiences we have gone through…and through our memories of the experiences we’ve gone through; sometimes through bad examples that we have been exposed to so we can learn not to emulate bad behavior…

It could also be said that God speaks to us through the experience of Prayer, and through partaking of the Sacraments, and through what are called the Means of Grace – of which the Sacraments is one…Baptism is another…

On the day in which John the Baptist baptized Jesus, God’s voice was plainly heard. The Gospel accounts differ on the details, but – regardless – they agree that God’s voice was made known that day…to someone. He had a message to convey to His people: Jesus is my beloved son. It is he in whom I am well-pleased.

God speaks to us all the time, and in a variety of ways, but are we listening? If we’re not listening to the voice of God, despite our experiences and despite what we’ve been taught - who, or what, are we listening to?

There are only three true powers in the universe: God, the flesh, and the devil – and unless we have submitted to God, we are subject to the whims and desires of the devil, our flesh, or the flesh of others.

Corinthians 15:33

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

In Matthew, chapter 7, the famous chapter that opens with the famous comment, “Judge not lest ye be judged,” also states the following:

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

When Will Jesus Be Revealed?

Mark 13:33-37 - 33 Take heed, watch and pray: for you do not know what time it is. 34 For the Son of man is like a man going on a journey to a far away place, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch therefore: for you do not know when the master of the house will be returning. It might be in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning: 36 If he returns suddenly, will he find you sleeping? 37 What I say unto each of you individually, I say unto you all, Watch.

In the evening: Mark 14:17-18 – the Last Supper: “17 And in the evening he went with the twelve. 18 And they sat, and they ate…”

At midnight: Later, in Mark 14:41, in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus says at midnight, “Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

When the cock crows: Mark 14:66-72 – “66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there came one of the maidens of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, And you also were with Jesus of Nazareth. 68 But he denied this, saying, I do not know, nor understand, what you are saying. And he went out onto the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And the maiden saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70 And he denied it again. And a little while after, they that stood by again said to Peter, Surely you are one of them: for you are a Galilaean, and your speech proves this . 71 But he began to curse, and to swear, saying, “I know not this man of whom you speak!” 72 And the cock crew the second time. And Peter remembered the words that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you shall deny me three times. And when he thought about this, he wept.”

Or in the morning: Mark 16:2 – ”And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.”

New Year's Revival Report

Zion UMC hosted a NEW YEAR'S REVIVAL this year, from January 4th until January 7th, and it couldn't have been a better way to start off 2009. Evangelist Steve Freeman, who lives in Colonial Heights, Virginia (but was originally from Wilmington, and grew up and went to Jr. High and High School with Pastor Jenness) was our guest speaker each night, and when all was said and done, six hands were raised as confessions of faith in Jesus Christ, and several others re-dedicated their lives to the Lord.

We proudly give God the glory for all that was accomplished, and look forward to having Steve grace our pulpit again in the future...

Notes for Sunday, January 4th, 2009

The Season of Epiphany

January 6 is known in western Christian tradition as Epiphany. It goes by other names in various church traditions. In Hispanic and Latin culture, as well as some places in Europe, it is known as Three Kings’ Day (Span: el Dia de los Tres Reyes, la Fiesta de Reyes, or el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag). Because of differences in church calendars, mainly between the Eastern Orthodox and the western Catholic and Protestant traditions, both Christmas and Epiphany have been observed at different times in the past. Today, most of the Eastern Orthodox traditions follow the western church calendar. The exception is the Russian Orthodox Church which still follows the older calendar and celebrates Epiphany as the Theophany on January 19th.

Epiphany is the climax of the Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are counted from December 25th until January 5th. The day before Epiphany is the twelfth day of Christmas, and is sometimes called Twelfth Night, an occasion for feasting in some cultures. In some cultures, the baking of a special King's Cake is part of the festivities of Epiphany (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA).

In traditional Christian churches Christmas, as well as Easter, is celebrated as a period of time, a season of the church year, rather than just a day. The Season of Christmas begins with the First Sunday of Advent, marked by expectation and anticipation, and concludes with Epiphany, which looks ahead to the mission of the church to the world in light of the Nativity. The one or two Sundays between Christmas Day and Epiphany are sometimes called Christmastide. For many Protestant church traditions, the season of Epiphany extends from January 6th until Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent leading to Easter. Depending on the timing of Easter, this includes from four to nine Sundays. Other traditions, especially the Roman Catholic tradition, observe Epiphany as a single day, with the Sundays following Epiphany counted as Ordinary Time.

The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. In some Central and South American countries influenced by Catholic tradition, Three Kings’ Day, or the night before, is the time for opening Christmas presents. In some eastern churches, Epiphany or the Theophany commemorates Jesus’ baptism, with the visit of the Magi linked to Christmas. In some churches the day is celebrated as Christmas, with Epiphany/Theophany occurring on January 19th.

The colors of Epiphany are usually the colors of Christmas, white and gold, the colors of celebration, newness, and hope that mark the most sacred days of the church year. In traditions that only observe a single day for Epiphany, the colors are often changed after Epiphany to the colors of Ordinary Time, usually green or thematic sanctuary colors, until Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent.

As with most aspects of the Christian liturgical calendar, Epiphany has theological significance as a teaching tool in the church. The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as "King" and so were the first to "show" or "reveal" Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ. This act of worship by the Magi, which corresponded to Simeon’s blessing that this child Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32), was one of the first indications that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few.

The day is now observed as a time of focusing on the mission of the church in reaching others by "showing" Jesus as the Savior of all people. It is also a time of focusing on Christian brotherhood and fellowship, especially in healing the divisions of prejudice and bigotry that we all too often create between God’s children.

An Epiphany Prayer

Father, we thank you for revealing yourself to us in Jesus the Christ, we who once were not your people but whom you chose to adopt as your people. As ancient Israel confessed long ago, we realize that it was not because of our own righteousness, or our own superior wisdom, or strength, or power, or numbers. It was simply because you loved us, and chose to show us that love in Jesus.

As you have accepted us when we did not deserve your love, will you help us to accept those whom we find it hard to love? Forgive us, O Lord, for any attitude that we harbor that on any level sees ourselves as better or more righteous than others. Will you help us to remove the barriers of prejudice and to tear down the walls of bigotry, religious or social? O Lord, help us realize that the walls that we erect for others only form our own prisons!

Will you fill us so full of your love that there is no more room for intolerance. As you have forgiven us much, will you enable us with your strength to forgive others even more? Will you enable us through your abiding Presence among us, communally and individually, to live our lives in a manner worthy of the Name we bear?

May we, through your guidance and our faithful obedience, find new avenues in ways that we have not imagined of holding the Light of your love so that it may be a Light of revelation for all people.

We thank you for your love, praise you for your Gift, ask for your continued Presence with us, and bring these petitions in the name of your Son, who has truly revealed your heart.

Amen

Matthew Chapter 2 details the story of the Wise Men…

1…when (better translated as ‘after’) Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in (better translated as ‘from’) the east, and are come to worship him.

7…Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. (He wanted to know when Jesus was born)

10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

 11And when they were come into the house (not a stable), they saw the young child (not a baby) 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. (because three gifts were mentioned, it has always been assumed that there were three wise men, but we’re never actually told their number)…

13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. (I can’t help but wonder if they met up with, and followed the wise men)

 14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

 15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. (there is irony here, since Egypt was the Land of Persecution for the Israelites during the time of Moses)…

 16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

(So Jesus was about 2 years old when he first met the wise men)

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

 18In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

 19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

 20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

 21And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

 22But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

 23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. (And we can only speculate how much interaction Jesus had with the wise men, and how much of an influence they had on him)…

Wise Men – referenced all throughout the Old Testament, but a reference in Daniel 2:2 best categorizes them - 2So he called in his counselors, advisors, magicians, and wise men…

The Wise Men of the Bible are individuals who possess secret knowledge, or hidden knowledge; they are sometimes called ‘Magi’ because the word ‘Magi’ means ‘hidden, secret knowledge,’ and a ‘Magus’ is someone who possesses hidden or secret knowledge…MAGI is the root word for MAGIC and MAGICIAN…

There is a mysteriousness to the Magi of the Scriptures…they remind me of another mysterious character who makes one appearance in the Old Testament, and vanishes: Melchizedek

Genesis 14:18-20

18…Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

 20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Hebrews 7 refers to Melchizedek in some detail…

1…Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.

Some believe that the Old Testament prophet Daniel (who was a master of sacred scribes) entrusted a Messianic vision (to be announced in due time by a "star") to a secret sect of the Magi for its eventual fulfillment, per Daniel 4:9, which reads, “ 9O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof,” and Daniel 5:11, which reads, “ 11There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.” – This is entirely speculation, but stems from the understanding that, in the Old Testament, witchcraft of any sort was strictly forbidden, and punishable by death – so why does Daniel sanction and endorse these magicians? They must not have been magicians as we understand them; they must have been wise men, is the argument.

Other historians contend that the Magi were a sect from ancient Persia, who — prior to the conquest of the Medes in 550 BC — were responsible for religious and funerary practices, which might explain the gifts presented to the young Jesus.

Melchior, Balthazar, and Gasper are the three traditional names given to the wise men who visited Jesus…but, again, we don’t really know how many wise men there were…around 1270 a.d., the travelor Marco Polo claimed to have seen their graves in what is today the district of Saveh, near Tehran…he wrote of this:

“In Persia is the city of Saba, from which the Three Magi set out and in this city they are buried, in three very large and beautiful monuments, side by side. And above them there is a square building, beautifully kept. The bodies are still entire, with hair and beard remaining.”

The gifts of the three wise men are prophetic — gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of priestship, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. Sometimes this is described more generally as gold symbolizing virtue, frankincense symbolizing prayer, and myrrh symbolizing suffering.

What subsequently happened to these gifts is never mentioned in the scripture, but several traditions have developed One story has the gold being stolen by the two thieves who were later crucified alongside Jesus. Another tale has it being entrusted to and then misappropriated by Judas. Another story is that the family quickly pawned or sold them and later used the money to finance their flight to Egypt; it seems probable that it would be the only way to pay for such a voyage.

God of all glory, by the guidance of a star you led the Wise Men

to worship the Christ Child. By the light of faith lead us to your

glory in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 Amen.