"What Do You Do With Your Gold?"
Matthew 2:1-12 (Epiphany)
Yonce Shelton, Westmoreland UCC
Jan. 11, 2026
Where do we focus? What guides us? What is our star – and how do we follow? What is our gold – and what do we do with it?
The magi were guided by a star, and we honor that journey to Jesus today. We invite our younger friends to think about what following the star means. I also invite all of us to consider the magi’s gifts.
Instead of being kings, the magi were really more like astronomers and scholars who studied the stars. In this story, they follow a celestial sign to find the newborn Jesus, symbolizing the recognition of Christ as King. They bring gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold represented Jesus' kingship, honor, and royalty. Frankincense – a resin used in temple worship – symbolized Jesus' divinity, holiness, and role as High Priest. Myrrh was an embalming spice, symbolizing Jesus' humanity and suffering, and foretelling his death and burial.
It is important to note that these were standard gifts to honor a secular king or deity in the ancient world. So in some ways, this wasn’t that unusual. Moreover, in addition to their symbolic nature, there were practical uses for these gifts. The gold could have financed the Holy Family's journey to Egypt to escape King Herod. Myrrh had medicinal properties and could even alleviate arthritis and similar ailments.
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Today, I will focus on the magi offering gold. After all, we are most familiar with gold. We understand its value. Maybe you trade it; invest in it; hide it in your floorboards. Or have the KPop Demon Hunters song constantly in your head – still. We use it: to symbolize, decorate, and celebrate. In the Olympics it means being dominant; the best; rising above others. We wear it. But what does it mean – to you?
If you are open to it, if you have gold with you – jewelry, coins – please stand. Hey kids, want to ask anyone what their gold means to them? How about a few of you standing share what your gold means to you?
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There is a story by the Brothers Grimm called “Hans in Luck.” In the story, after working hard for seven years, Hans wants to return home. His master pays him with a lump of gold the size of his head. Hans takes the gold and starts out on his journey jogging, but soon becomes tired. He spots a rider on horseback and exchanges his gold for the horse.
But soon the horse bolts and Hans gets bucked off. He then meets a shepherd who convinces Hans to trade his horse for a cow, telling Hans that a cow can provide milk, cheese and butter. Hans takes the offer and continues his journey, only to find that the cow is dry and not producing any milk.
Disgruntled with the cow, Hans meets a butcher who gives him a pig for the cow. Hans sets off jogging again. But then Hans meets a countryman who informs him that the pig's owner is the squire and he is in danger of being arrested for taking the squire's pig. Hans takes the countryman's goose in exchange for his pig, happy that it will provide a good roast.
At his next stop in a village, Hans meets a scissor-grinder and shares his story. The scissor-grinder offers him a grindstone for his goose, arguing that a grindstone will provide a source of income. Hans exchanges the goose for the grindstone and continues on his way, but is tired carrying the grindstone and is short of money for food.
Hans stops for a drink on the banks of a river, and the grindstone falls into the deep water and is lost. Hans is happy to be rid of the heavy grindstone and free of all troubles. He walks into his mother's house and recounts his lucky tale.
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He recounts his lucky tale – that started with gold and had twists and turns. Would our modern society think Hans was lucky? I’m not so sure. His is a counter-cultural story. It's different and surprising; even shocking – like the story of Jesus’ birth. And the stories about his life and ministry. Hans and Jesus can easily be thought of as foolish or naive.
What would you have done in Hans’ shoes?
I’ve been wondering: What did the Holy Family do with the gold? Mary and Joseph had been transformed by visitations by angels before Jesus’ birth. They understood God and a lot of things much differently. After spiritual revelations and this miracle birth, what did they think about gold? Was it useless for the enormity of their task? Or helpful for the journey?
The star leading the magi. An offering of gold. What did it all mean to these characters in such an amazing story? What does star, gold, and more mean to you? What are we called to do with the guidance and gifts we receive? How are we to offer?
May those bright, shiny questions guide you into this new year. May they help you live out your own lucky tales that confuse the world and help you follow the most valuable gift faithfully.
Amen.
