Christmas

Luke 2: 1-10

As Jesus would do later in his ministry, the angel of the Lord chooses to appear to people who are not the most pious or the wealthiest and did not always have the most stellar reputations, in this case shepherds. They were often despised as untrustworthy thieves because they spent so much time alone with the flocks they were hired to watch over. But they are chosen to be the first to hear the good news that the Messiah has been born. The appearance of the angel is powerful, depicted as an overwhelming sort of light. The angel calms their fears and shares the good news of great joy, good news that is meant for all people. After the encounter with the baby Jesus, they too are filled with joy and glorify God.  
Symbols
The shepherds’ staffs
One lone lost sheep

Matthew 2: 1-12

The Magi are sent to follow the star and find Jesus by Herod for his own evil purposes. But the Magi represent all of us who spend our lives in search of Jesus, in search of a Savior. They represent the gifts bestowed on us at Baptism of priest, prophet, king. And as the Magi are instructed in a dream, we too are meant to “go home another way” to spread the good news. We too are meant to spend our lives in pilgrimage, restless and seeking, and like the Magi, reading the signs of the times.
 
Symbols

• Great light of the star
• Treasure, royal gifts
  1. Gold – kingship
  2. Frankincense --- divinity
  3. Myrrh -- death