Magi

Dearly Beloved,


Grace and Peace to you.


You are minding your business, carrying on, maybe in the kitchen or the laundry room, or sitting at your computer. Faintly at first, you hear exotic music outside, strange harmonies with a hint of bells. Do you think you smell spices? Incense? At your door there are standing strangers dressed in elegant oriental finery, brocaded robes with jewels and turbans. You awkwardly ask them in. But they do not sit. They kneel before you. They open treasures. You are, appropriately, speechless.


They say they have seen signs: a great power has been born in you, sent from God, a power that will rule the earth, hidden in your life like a king among peasants. It is not any kind of political sway, or magical ability. It is the love you have been given. You embody divine love, an infinite and beautiful power for the healing of the world. They say this gift in you is greater than that of all the kings of the world, and so they kneel in homage. They pray that you, too, will honor this great gift that is within you. Your objections mean nothing; these are wise and knowledgeable people, who understand more than you do. You must take their word.


They go home by another way, back to their lives, their watching, their hopes. They take nothing with them—no trinkets, no proofs, only this: that they have seen. Now they know. And you also go back to your life, back to the dishes. And you — now you have seen. Now you are aware.


You will not likely see the strange visitors again, ever. You will not hear the sounds of their voices, nor the tinkling bells as they disappear along the streets. But you will remember. And you will believe.



Deep Blessings,

Pastor Steve



_______________________________

Copyright c 2009

Steve Garnaas-Holmes

unfoldinglight (at) hotmail.com

We have come to worship

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
Matthew 2.1-2

When the Magi kneel before the Christ child
this is no mere display of sentiment or devotion:
this is Wisdom kneeling at the feet if its master, Love.
All power, all rulers and their armies,
and all knowledge, all learning and understanding,
and all riches and beauty,
all kneel before the power, wisdom and beauty of love.
Secretly Herod and all the tyrants of this world know this,
which is why they are afraid, so desperate and ruthless:
they know Love is the one true power greater than they.
They have already bowed to their one true sovereign.

And all powers, all kings and wise men,
all with beauty and regal mien,
bow to the Christ child, the embodiment of love
that is born in you each morning.
Let your life itself be such a bowing,
such an extravagant opening of gifts.
Even tyrants secretly bow to the great love
that has been poured into you.
Live in deep trust of this, and take courage.



_______________________________
Copyright c 2009
Steve Garnaas-Holmes
unfoldinglight@hotmail.com