Message: A Star in the Darkness / Matthew 2:1-12
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Today, as we gather on Epiphany Sunday, we reflect on the story of the Magi who followed a star to find baby Jesus. Traditionally, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, which is one of the oldest festivals in the Christian calendar. Epiphany means "revealing" or "discovery." It is a day to celebrate the light of Christ breaking through the darkness.
The light and darkness we talk about today invite us to look deeper. When we think of darkness, we often associate it with fear, confusion, or sadness. But the Bible shows us that darkness has its purpose. In Genesis, God created the light first but did not remove the darkness. God did not set light and darkness against each other. Instead, God made a rhythm where light fades into darkness, and darkness gives way to light. This rhythm shows that darkness is not just a negative moment, but a sacred time of silence and peace, offering rest and renewal for the dawn of a new day.
Darkness is also a space where we encounter God’s mysteries. In Exodus, darkness played a pivotal role as God revealed divine justice and power to liberate the Hebrews from slavery. The final plague came under the cover of night, reminding us that God’s mysterious actions often emerge in moments of darkness. In other words, darkness in the Bible is often portrayed as a sacred place where God’s transformative work begins and takes shape.
The problem is not darkness itself, but when it feels endless. There are times when the harmony of creation is disrupted, and our journey feels like an unending valley of shadows. In those moments, when it seems the morning sun will never rise and no light can be found, darkness becomes a powerful symbol of despair and suffering.
Likewise, constant light is not always good. In regions that experience the Midnight Sun, people often struggle with mental and emotional health because they lack the rhythm of night and day. Without the rest that darkness provides, we become weary; without the vision of light, we lose hope. We need both light and darkness.
God created this world in harmony and balance: a time for rest and a time for activity, a time for waiting and a time for action. Because of this, we can trust God’s timing and embrace the seasons of our lives. Understanding the right time is the beginning of wisdom.
When Jesus was born, the world was out of balance. The people were living in a darkness that felt endless. The Roman Empire had taken their land, imposed heavy taxes, and crushed any resistance. What made it worse was that many Jewish leaders had sided with Rome, exploiting their own people.
But God never abandons those who are suffering. Just when the night seemed longest, a star appeared. The Magi, wise ones from the East, noticed this star. They were seekers, searching the dark night sky for signs of hope. They were wise because they understood God’s rhythm: darkness does not last forever. The morning will surely come.
The Magi followed the star, and their journey led them to Jesus. They responded with worship, offering gifts fit for the new saviour. They saw the star when others missed it. They stepped out in faith, even into unfamiliar territory. They were not afraid to humble themselves before the newborn baby.
But not everyone welcomed the light. According to today’s passage, Herod and the people of Jerusalem were frightened when they heard about the star. They treated the star not as hope, but as a threat. They wanted to protect their power and preserve the status quo. They didn’t want the darkness to end.
Like many capitals around the world, Jerusalem was filled with people building their own towers of Babel, chasing success, wealth, status, and power. In doing so, they ignored the cries of the poor and focused only on climbing higher. By pursuing material illusions, they only made the world darker.
When I visited New York City for the first time last week, the words of E.F. Schumacher (1911–1977) immediately came to mind. In his book Small Is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered, Schumacher describes cities as places that reflect humanity’s endless desire for expansion. Cities dazzle with lights and noise, but they often grow by exploiting the labour and resources of rural areas. Cities themselves cannot produce the essential resources necessary for human life. They do not generate food such as grains, fruits, or meat, nor do they produce raw materials like iron, copper, cotton, or wool. All of these necessities come from rural areas. While the health of cities depends entirely on the health of the countryside, urban elites often exploit rural labour by undervaluing the primary goods produced there. In this regard, Schumacher says, "The all-pervading disease of the modern world is the total imbalance between city and countryside, an imbalance in terms of wealth, power, culture, attraction and hope. The former has become over-extended and the latter has atrophied."
We see a similar imbalance in Jerusalem, a city that never slept. According to the Gospels, the decision to execute Jesus was made in just one night. He was questioned through the night by the Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pilate. This shows that the people of Jerusalem were blind to God’s light because they were too focused on their own illusions. Those who built their lives on greed and exploitation couldn’t see the star. They rejected true hope for all because it threatens their Babel towers - the skyscrapers of illusion.
But darkness cannot last forever. Jesus Christ enters the darkness as light, bringing renewal, courage, and reconciliation to a weary world. When the night seems long and hope feels distant, we must keep our eyes fixed on God. The Magi teach us to be seekers. They show us what it means to hope in the midst of darkness. Like the Magi, we need to trust that God will guide us step by step, even when we cannot see the whole journey.
I hope that everyone here will always be happy, joyful, and healthy in the coming year. But I also know that challenges may arise. There may be times of darkness, times when hope feels distant. In those moments, remember the star that shone in the darkness about 2,000 years ago. The God who sent Jesus Christ to Bethlehem is the same God who is looking after us, caring for us, and guiding us.
It is also important to remember that God’s light is not just for us; it is meant to be shared. The Magi didn’t keep the news of Christ to themselves. They proclaimed what they had seen. Similarly, we are called to reflect God’s light in the world. That is the purpose of this community of faith. The good news of the light of Christ may be uncomfortable and threatening to those like Herod. Nevertheless, we must proclaim it, for it is the way of salvation for all.
So, as we begin this year, let us trust in God’s timing, seek a star in the darkness, and walk toward the light. May this year be filled with hope, balance, and the discovery of God’s blessings.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Rev. Min Hwang
Epiphany Sunday, 2025
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