Across the Pastor’s Desk by Don Rose

 

Only two of the four gospels included in the New Testament include stories of the birth ODF the Savior and, though they are different stories, they do share in common the use of a sign to communicate the good news to the people in their stories. The Gospel according to St. Matthew uses the sign of a star to lead outsiders to city of the savior and the Gospel according to St. Luke uses the sign of a manger as the assurance of recognition for the one born prince of peace.

In either case the sign is an important tool to assure humans that the one that they are seeking has in fact been found. Unfortunately as helpful as even these signs can be, signs can also have a way of impeding the very thing for which they were intended. That is to say that the sign no longer points to that which is most important but rather takes on a life of its own and as a result becomes seemingly more important than ever intended. Thus manger and star can become the focus of attention for hearers and readers as opposed to the one to whom they point for the sake of the whole world.

Even in these days such signs can be a hindrance for believers. In addition to manger and star other signs also work to point the people of the world to the story of God’s love and forgiveness in the life, ministry, death and resurrection of the Savior. In the word and sacraments are the promise of the presence of God.

It is the promised presence that is of utmost importance and value. As important and beneficial as the signs may be, if the journey stops at the sign and is satisfied there, then it is a journey of little value or significance.

Signs, ancient and current, certainly have value and worth as they are used to assure the observer that for which they seek is at hand. Signs have their place in pointing to that which is the fulfillment of God’s promise. In this holiday season do not allow the signs to replace the gift to which they point, the gift of salvation shared in humble beginnings with the birth of a child whose presence would change all of history and all of time.

Don Rose is a pastor at Mansfield and United Lutheran churches.