Stars, Signs and Salvation

Summary

We and the church have both, collectively, made it another year. While technically the new decade starts in 2021 people are talking about this year, 2020, as a brand-new page in our history. One of the many big things about 2020 is that it’s an election year, a big one. In a few months, and I talk about this as if it hasn’t happened already, we are going to be inundated with political ads, posters, lawn signs, stickers, and buttons that tell us that our only hope is voting for a certain political candidate.

So many things are at stake. Our way of life, our economy, our stability, our peace…all of these things hang in the balance when we vote at the end of the year. We are also entering the season of Epiphany. Epiphany literally means “manifestation.” We celebrate the divinity of Jesus as told in the bible passages of the Magi visiting Jesus as well as Jesus’ baptism. This Sunday, however, we have two different scriptures; the traditional Magi visitation story as told in Matthew, but also, the apocalyptic dream-like text from Revelation. Usually a text for All Saints Sunday, we get to see what happens after the 7th seal is opened. I’ve had the honor of giving the sermon on Epiphany Sunday for a 3rd year in a row now. I’ve talked about kings, and wise men, and what the divinity of Jesus means. I’ve also preached on this Revelation text for All Saints Sunday. Today they sit beside each other telling a different story of what the “manifestation” meant for those who follow Jesus.