December 30, 2021

“When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 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.” (Matthew 2:10-11)

The Magi were “overwhelmed with joy.”  Does joy seem like a rare commodity in this world of testing, masking, waiting and prognosticating?  

I don’t mean to sound glib, but there is overwhelming joy to be found in kneeling at the foot of the Savior. I would bet that our primary experience upon meeting Him face to face will be one of joy. Peace – yes. Awe – no doubt. Humility and chagrin as our self-importance and failures of faith are exposed – for sure. But joy will win the day. For He is joyous beyond measure and we are whisked in!

And, even today, that joy is to be known and felt and basked in as we kneel down and pay Him homage.

“O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Second Sunday after Christmas – BCP)