New Beginings

5. July 2009 by Rose Southwell.

New Beginnings

Rose Southwell

Christmas season is the beginning and end of many things. It is the new beginning of the Christ Childs life, the time to celebrate love laughter and giving with those we love. It is a time for a new adventures, and a time for a change in season. This time of year is a time to pack your bags and go seek out new things.Some of you may remember me from my fiery red curls playing on the playground. Let me take a moment to catch you up on me and why I stand before you today. I was raised in this church from fourth grade on. In 2003 Micah, myself and these two amazing soloist and I graduated from McKinney High School. At that time we all split ways and took off on a whole new path. I eventually ended up at the University of The Ozarks a Presbyterian school in Arkansas. I worked as an intern at Mo Ranch, a camp in South Texas. It is there that I recived my call into ministry. I begin at Columbia Theological Semanary in February and will be seeking ordination. To Gain some experience Patrick suggested that I preach one Sunday. So here I am.  I chose the scripture of the kings for this reason. I soon like the wise men will take off on a long journey to seek an better opportunity to understand and worship our Lord. This is why this story seamed right for me, to examine with you today. *Our scripture verse reviles Three magi’s, Three gifts, and one long journey.  *            Let’s take a look at this Journey that our three wise men took in an abrighged version. First there was a star, a star that shown show so bright and lead them to the place where Jesus was. Then they followed the star and looked for Jesus in a kings house. He wasn’t there, but the idea of another king, got Harod angry. The wise men found the place where Jesus was and went to him with gifts. Saw an angle in their dreams and went home a different way.  Simple enough right? This is the entire story that Mathew gives us. Short and sweet.But I would like to look at a different part of the story or as Paul Harvey would say, look at the rest of the story. How would our three gentlemen ( Kings, Magi’s, or wise men) tell their story? For the perpous of story telling and to protect the innocent, we will call our three gentlemen Steve, Stan, and Stew.  I think there story might go something like this.             Steve and Stew are sitting resting at home one night when their enthusiastic friend Stan comes by all excited about his new discovery. Openly mocking his friends that he has see something they haven’t, the trio takes off to the spot where they have set up there observatory. After Stan is done gloating the three look out and observe this magnificent star, after some time the look in their writings for the meaning of this new star. The Begin searching scriptures as well and Astrological understandings of this particular star’s placement and time in the sky they realize that a great king is to be born. As kings themselves they feel that they must go, and fallow this star and meet this great king.  a new Powerful king is not something to overlook. They made up their minds, they MUST go and greet him. This would be important journey for them, it could take years, it could be deadly, and they would have to be away for a long time. These are all things their wife’s were going to bring up… How easy do you think that conversation was? “Ummm… Hunny….”   “And where have you been? “  “Well, you see. Stan, Stew and I were out looking at the stars last night”   “Oh really? Up to that again? You know how I feel about those guys!” “But Hunny there is something I need to talk to you about” “ Ya know, When are you three going to grow up and learn to focus on what’s here on earth not going on in the skies? YOU have a kingdom to run.”  “I know, but we found something, a star that shows the birth of a new king, we have decided to go and offer him gifts and welcome him into the world.”  “You’re WHAT?!?” You can imagine how the rest of that conversation went. SO I’m sure after a battle at home, and a huge leap of faith, Steve, Stan, and Stew set off on their journey.  I admire there ability to put it all behind them and follow what their hearts tell them to do. Take this in for just a moment. They traveled thousands and thousands of miles away from their homes, kingdoms, wife’s, and normal comfortable life’s, on the back of a camel to follow their Faith.  These wise men set out on a new beginning, and traveled all that way to deliver gifts to Our Lord. Talk about walking by faith not by sight. What amazing men to have done this. Men who are thought by some scholars to not even be people of Jewish faith. Then after all they had seen and done, an angle appeared to them and told them to go home a different way. Wow, and even longer trip home, where they will be able to share the good news of Christ birth.  These men who weren’t even members of the faith community understood the significant of Christ birth so well that they traveled and gave gifts to him, not even knowing who he really was. Christmas is a time that we give gifts to one another, we share laughter and Joy. Some get their fist Barbie; some get the video game they have always wanted. Mom, got those diamond earrings, and dad got a new set of golf clubs. But what did you give Jesus this year for Christmas? How much did you leave behind on a blind leap of faith just to worship our lord? I know that a pilgrimage is not possible for everyone to take, I understand that What the wise men did could be considered a merical all on its own. But this time of year has an amazing opportunity. To practice what the wise men did, and give the first gift to Christ. This Opportunity lies within New Years Day. This time of year allows us to look at our faith, and look for new beginnings in front of us, and cease it. We have a Christmas tradition that I think is fitting for this and something that I would like you to consider for your family. Ever year in honor of the gifts that the wise men brought we give gifts to Jesus. We have small boxes, and every member of the family takes there time to write down what our faith gift, or New Years Resolution for our Faith is that year. We write it down and place it in the box and leave our boxes at our manger scene.  Now it may be too late for all of that visual representation of giving a gift. If your better about packing up the Christmas decorations than we are. But it is not too late for new years. This year when the ball drops, you may have more than one thing you would like to change. Some want to lose weight, some want to quit smoking, Some want to try something New. The Joy of the New year is that it is a Fresh Start. This is the season. There is a season for everything, but why not make this the season of change, of hope, of leaps of faith, And most of all new beginnings.  This year for New Year’s Eve, take a moment to think of something that you want to do differently as a Gift to Christ. DO you want to attend church more? DO you want to volunteer at a homeless shelter? DO you want to read your bible every day? As we know, Jesus accepts gifts big and small. Our savor forgives us, loves us, and guides us every day, no matter what. SO this year give something back. Take the time think about it, and make this new beginning not only an amazing opportunity to change for the better, but a new beginning of giving.

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