Light to the Gentiles

In Australia, we celebrate Boxing Day which has lost pretty much all of its meaning and significance. Traditions I grew up with on Boxing Day were no Cooking (except eggs for breakfast), there are plenty of left overs and the Sydney to Hobart Race start. A new tradition is definitely in place in the supermarket is while Christmas items are still on the shelves —though reduced— the bakery has started baking the traditionally spiced Hot Cross Buns; and chocolate and fancy flavours but the spiced is my point today.

Matthew 2.11
On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Gold as a gift is easy to recognise. It is reflected in ancient history as a rich resource and today it is still an extremely valuable resource.

Frankincense symbolises the kingship of Christ, recalling the first Temple built under King Solomon.

Myrrh was for burial; Jesus was wrapped with linen with spices. Myrrh was one used to overcome the stench of death.

People say to me every year at church; that they are offended at how early Hot Cross Buns come out. I agree it is far too early, we shouldn't see them until Holy Week and then they should be gone by Pentecost (this will never happen). I also know in a capitalist world that the supermarkets are only doing this because people buy them who do not have the same thought as these people do. At no point would I fault someone for buying them on Boxing Day. It is my hope that in the spiced bun, with the symbol of death being the cross, a light may shine on even one person in a million; that they wonder why a little bit longer then they otherwise would.

When it comes to the comment to remove the crosses if they want them all year around we might just remove that slight shimmer of gold that might be there.

In the end we celebrate Easter every Sunday and every communion, so let a shimmer go beyond the church as it is always meant to. I can't help of think of the resurrection when I read the Isaiah passage this weekend; I know the the Bible repeats itself showing great significance, and Jesus is coming again.

Isaiah 60.1-6

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
    and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
    and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

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,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
    the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
    the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
    all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
    and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.