A classic example of the saying there are ‘two sides to every story’ is strikingly presented in the gospel today. The contrast between the two key groups of players, at the birth of Jesus could not be more apparent.

The Jewish leaders were using the law to conspire against the promised Messiah, whilst the strangers, the Gentiles, were coming from distant lands to try to understand the importance of this birth.  They even came with expensive gifts.

The jealous rage of Herod caused him to become a murderer of innocent children. In his mind his position of control was being threatened. For the Gentiles it was a quest to find meaning in this strange birth.  They gifted the child and paid him homage.

TS Elliot’s ‘Journey of the Magi’ speaks of the journey of the Magi, the difficulties of their journey and the questions they were left with as they returned to their countries of origin.

‘A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey:’
……..
All this was a long time ago, I remember,
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we led all that way for
Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,
We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different;’

As we celebrate this feast, we too must respond to the gift offered by the birth of Jesus. Are we brave enough to embrace the incarnational presence of God in our lives and if so, how will this affect the way I live? For us, being passive is not an option. How can my living take Jesus to the world?

Let our mantra today be: ‘Here I am, send me.’

by Anne Surtees osu