service. Imagine if we made them wait two years
For some, the recent birth of a child who would
for the conclusion of the story! As it is, we have
one day transform all of creation is a sign of
trouble waiting for the full twelve days of Christ-
hope for the future. We don’t know if the Magi
mas for the Kings to arrive on January 6th, the
knew exactly what would transpire once that
day the Church commemorates the event. Better
child grew up, but they had their hopes; why else
stick with the thirty-minute pageant for now.
would they have traveled so far? We too bring our gifts to the conversation, looking ahead at what
ISLAND IMPRESSIONS
The next king to arrive is The King of Rock and
can accomplished in this world, and making the
BY FR. TOM PURDY,
Roll. Elvis doesn’t do much for me, but I know
effort to be a part of it ourselves.
RECTOR OF CHRIST CHURCH
he’s still a beloved rocker, actor, and hip gyrator. Regardless of whether we’re fans or not, we must
Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership is still a bea-
agree that Elvis changed the music world, and
con of hope, not just among a particular com-
had an incredible number of hit songs. Born on
munity, and not just in our country, but around
January eighth, I imagine there are a fair number
the world. His example as a servant leader, one
who look on that day with special devotion. We
whose primary goal was to bring about a great-
T
have to wait a couple of months for the Georgia
er good, even as it brought about his earthly
his is a month of kings and enlight-
Elvis festival in Brunswick, but perhaps some will
demise, is something we can use more of in our
enment; it is a time for newness,
begin their commemoration a bit early.
world. Far too often those in power are corrupt-
Wise Men and Kings fresh starts, and the hope that comes
ed by it, serving their interests or the interest of
with them. January is more than
The most important January King, in my mind,
the few over the many. What a different world
the month we spend writing last year’s dates on
however, is Martin Luther King, Jr., who is
it would be if King’s dreams could be realized.
our checks, more than the resolutions we hastily
remembered in January, the month of his birth.
Cynics might tell us we’re foolish for hoping
made on New Year’s Eve. It is a time to see with
King reshaped, not only conversations about
such things, and yet this is the time we need
new eyes and hear with new ears, if we’re open
race and justice, and the way to resist, peace-
such dreams and such foolishness.
to it. Even the month’s name, January, directs us
fully, but also reshaped an entire nation. His
towards such things, named for the Roman god
clear and decisive call for justice in regard to
Elvis’ contribution to all of this might be his lyric,
Janus, the god of doors and beginnings.
race, and later to also include economics and
“Wise men say, only fools rush in…” Wise men
war, is still inspiring and challenging at the same
sought and still seek peace, justice, and look with
The first kings to arrive this month might better
time. King’s legacy continues to call out to us to
hope to a better world that is still being trans-
be noted as Magi, the three Wise Men, the ones
be better people, to love unconditionally, and to
formed around us. Is that foolishness? Perhaps.
about whom we sing at Christmas, who journeyed
break down barriers of division that are human
In a month of doors and beginnings, perhaps we
from afar to find the child born under the star in
constructs. His dream for this world has yet to
can agree to step through the doorways that pres-
the East. Although most of our Christmas pag-
fully come to fruition, but we’re on our way
ent themselves, doors we’ve been shown by wiser
eants portray the Magi as arriving just after Jesus’
despite the work that remains.
men. Call me a fool, but I’d like to see what’s on
birth, it was probably a delay of two years or so
the other side of those doors. It took those wise
before they actually found him. We have enough
Taken together, these “royal” personas and per-
men a long time to find what they were looking
trouble getting kids to sit still for a single church
sons call out to us see the possibility in the world.
for; I suppose we should keep looking too.
52
ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING
