Children’s Message, Sunday, January 6, 2008--Epiphany

So we couldn’t avoid it anymore--we took our Christmas tree down yesterday. As we were doing it, I thought about the star on top of our tree. Now all growing up, we had an angel on top of our tree, but the first year that we were married, my sister gave us a lovely star, and we have been star people ever since.

So let‘s do a little poll. . .raise your hand if:
Ÿ you have an angel on top of your Christmas tree.
Ÿ you have a star on top of your Christmas tree.

I love both of these Christmas symbols for the tops of trees. Angels remind us of the messengers that announced all the important news--Angels told both Mary and Joseph about Jesus’ coming birth. Angels filled the skies to tell the shepherds that Jesus had been born.


As I think of it more, it seems to be that the angel is all about preparing--the angels prepared everyone for the birth--they were the messengers. Both the angel and the star announced the birth, but the star then kind of took over. The star was the guide, leading everyone to Christ.

The star pointed everyone in the direction of Jesus--especially the wise men.

Today is Epiphany, the day when we especially remember the wise men and the star. And it is hard to think of the wise men without thinking of the star. Our first hymn today talked about the wise men who, “. . . hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright.” We Three Kings calls it the “star of wonder, star of light, star of royal beauty bright.” and later, “guide us to thy perfect light.”

And of course, “thy perfect light” is Jesus, the light of the world.

So when you see an angel on top of a tree, or anywhere, remember that we should always be preparing ourselves to do Jesus‘ work, and when you see a star--think of light--the light of Jesus, and the light that we can be in the world when we spread Jesus’ love.

Let’s pray: Loving God,
Thank you for angels to prepare us,
Stars to guide us,
And Jesus who is our light.
Help us to share your light with the world. Amen.