Blog

When I was a child our Christmas tree went up either on or just before December 24^th, and came down January 6^th, a day referred to by my parents as Old Christmas Day.  Likely unbeknownst to them, my parents were in sync with the rhythm of the Church in their preparation for, and celebration of, Christmas.  Despite the fact that the coloured lights that have graced our communities for most of December (or longer) have, mainly, been extinguished, for the Church, we are still in the Season of Christmas and will remain here until after the Baptism of the Lord.  Another of the feasts of Christmas is the Epiphany of the Lord, that day when the Magi were led by the Star to the place where the Babe lay, which we celebrate today.   

For the Bennett’s this year, Christmas was a particularly special one – all 7 of us were together, a rarity when two of us live on the other side of the country.  Added to that, with the usual complications of holiday travelling affecting so many and experienced by us also, to finally all be together, was, as our daughter-in-law said, a real Christmas miracle.  We know there were many who spent their Christmas at an airport. Thinking about the difficult journey Jordan and Randi had to join us, I think of the wise men and expect their journey was as complex, maybe more so as camels don’t get to their destinations as quickly as planes. 😉

“Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.  Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice…” Isaiah says.   What does it mean to gather together?   When taken in the context of family and friends – Isaiah speaks about sons and daughters – we usually gather for one of two reasons, to celebrate or to mourn.   The Magi have gathered because of an epiphany, an understanding which has come to them, that something quite significant is about to happen, significant enough to warrant travelling considerable distance to witness the event.  Their awareness likely grew after much reflection.

Upon arrival at their destination, Matthew tells us, the wise men “were overwhelmed with joy.” That’s the way Wayne and I felt when we finally, after many delays, altered plans and adjusted routes had our son and daughter-in-law home.  We had dealt with a late night long drive to Halifax in the midst of a wind and rainstorm.   They were cranky having had to re-organize their schedules, arriving 3 days and many hours later than they were supposed to, with frequent stops and starts, minus their baggage which had been ‘lost.’  But we, tired though we were, had hearts that were rejoicing. 

It was likely not what the Magi were expecting, a child who was “born king of the Jews” sharing the space of animals.  Were they cranky I wonder?  Disappointed?  Disillusioned?  Scripture indicates not.  “They knelt … and paid him homage” we hear.  Often the way of life and the plans we make for it goes differently than we expect or prepare for.  A deeper perspective brings insights, however.  Regardless of how long it took, how different and difficult it was, how much we had to change our expectations, the memories of those days spent together will continue to sustain us, until we can all gather again.   And having shared the treasures provided by that gathering, we too, with the wise men, will head down “another road” to whatever this Christmas experience will have given us.  Let’s continue to celebrate the Season, and the miracles it offers, if only we are open to them.      

Ellen Bennett