After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2
Today is Epiphany. And it’s not just a day. It’s the beginning of the liturgical season which starts with the Magi’s visit to the Christ Child, extends through the start of Jesus’ ministry, and ends with His transfiguration. I suggest that as part of our faith journey, Epiphany never ends. It’s a way of life.
Epiphany is a word denoting what we often call a “lightbulb” moment, when we have a sudden realization of a particular reality. Epiphany is also where the extraordinary intersects the ordinary.
Matthew 2:1-12 unfolds as the Magi, often called the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men, see a brilliant star in the sky and believe this light will lead them to the king of the Jews. They pack up their provisions, load up their camels, and begin their journey. Expecting to find Him in Jerusalem, the Magi inquire of Herod where they can find this king. Alarmed he may have a rival, Herod learns that, according to Old Testament prophesies, the king of the Jews will be born in Bethlehem and he feigns the desire to worship this new-born king himself.
As the Magi leave Herod’s palace, they are discouraged that they do not find who they are looking for in Jerusalem. But when the bright star reappears, they are overjoyed and encouraged. They follow this luminous light until it stops over the house in Bethlehem where Jesus is. The Magi fall down and worship the Christ Child. They lavish expensive gifts on Him, gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold. That night, being warned in a dream by God, the Magi leave Bethlehem and travel home by a different route, bypassing Jerusalem and the ruthless Herod.
As we dive deeper into this familiar story, we discover the Magi in these long-ago events have much to teach us today. Some scholars believe the Magi were actual wise and learned men who were from Persia (modern-day Iran). When they spot this extraordinary star hovering over Israel, they know from prophesies that this light signifies the birth of the king of the Jews. They immediately pack up and head out to find this newborn king.
Understanding God’s Word and listening to His voice enables us to hear His calling and obey immediately.
The Magi travel a long way. I wonder if they grew weary. As they leave Jerusalem, they are disappointed and discouraged.
Sometimes, even when we know we are following God’s leading, we can grow tired and weary. Following God requires prayer and persistence.
When they reach their final destination, the Magi fall down and worship Jesus.
Authentic worship requires true humility before God.
The Magi put aside any prejudices and cross-cultural differences as they kneel in humility before someone of a different race and religion.
Recognizing they are created in God’s image, we accept others who are different from ourselves regardless of the color of their skin, their gender identity, their orientation, or their religion.
The Magi unpack their generous gifts to the Christ Child, laying them at His feet.
We worship God by generously giving back to Him the best of our time, money, talents, and resources.
After worshipping the king of the Jews, the Magi continue to follow God’s calling through a dream and travel home by another route.
When we’re up against life’s bad actors, we listen to God’s still and quiet voice rather than listening to those who would deceive us or distract us from our God-given purpose.
The Magi’s epiphany doesn’t stop at finding the Christ Child. They experience God in the ordinariness of a dream before traveling back to their homeland.
Look expectantly for God to show up in the ordinariness of everyday life. Pray to have spiritual eyes to see Him and then slow down enough to actually see Him at work.
Epiphany is the moment the Magi gaze into the face of a newborn baby and behold the face of God. In that moment, the extraordinary interrupts the ordinary and divinity becomes humanity. In their epiphany, the Magi fall down in worship of this Christ Child, this king of the Jews.
Jesus stands at the crossroads of His extraordinariness and our ordinariness: God in human flesh, both fully divine and fully human. His birth is no ordinary birth but rather it is the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah. He is no ordinary child born of human parents but rather He is the Son of God who has come to die on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins of living life without God. Our faith journey begins with the epiphany that, through His resurrection, Jesus is our Savior. We are reconciled to God the Father and are empowered to live out His purposes of grace, mercy, and justice here on earth before living forever in eternity with Him.
Throughout our faith journey, God continues to interrupt our lives of ordinariness with His epiphanies of extraordinariness. We only need to open our spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear Him working in our midst. It is our continual act of worship.
The Magi followed a star to worship the Light of the World. We follow the Savior of the world from a rough-hewn manger to an empty tomb. Our response, like that of the Magi, is worship.
Jesus, Your light shines into my darkness, illuminating my path to follow You. I thank You for the epiphany that You are indeed the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. May I fall down and worship You as the one true King, bringing what I have to lay at Your feet. May my joy overflow as I live out Your calling on my life to shine Your light of grace, mercy, and justice into the darkness of this world. Open my spiritual eyes and ears to experience Epiphany throughout this coming year as You reveal more of Your extraordinariness to me in the ordinariness of life. In Your precious Name I pray, Amen.
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Text and photograph copyright © 2021 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of an old barn in California.
A NOTE ON RACIAL JUSTICE: Becoming antiracist is a journey. Together, we can make a difference. Will you join me? Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Today is Epiphany. And it’s not just a day. It’s the beginning of the liturgical season which starts with the Magi’s visit to the Christ Child, extends through the start of Jesus’ ministry, and ends with His transfiguration. I suggest that as part of our faith journey, Epiphany never ends. It’s a way of life.
Epiphany is a word denoting what we often call a “lightbulb” moment, when we have a sudden realization of a particular reality. Epiphany is also where the extraordinary intersects the ordinary.
Matthew 2:1-12 unfolds as the Magi, often called the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men, see a brilliant star in the sky and believe this light will lead them to the king of the Jews. They pack up their provisions, load up their camels, and begin their journey. Expecting to find Him in Jerusalem, the Magi inquire of Herod where they can find this king. Alarmed he may have a rival, Herod learns that, according to Old Testament prophesies, the king of the Jews will be born in Bethlehem and he feigns the desire to worship this new-born king himself.
As the Magi leave Herod’s palace, they are discouraged that they do not find who they are looking for in Jerusalem. But when the bright star reappears, they are overjoyed and encouraged. They follow this luminous light until it stops over the house in Bethlehem where Jesus is. The Magi fall down and worship the Christ Child. They lavish expensive gifts on Him, gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold. That night, being warned in a dream by God, the Magi leave Bethlehem and travel home by a different route, bypassing Jerusalem and the ruthless Herod.
As we dive deeper into this familiar story, we discover the Magi in these long-ago events have much to teach us today. Some scholars believe the Magi were actual wise and learned men who were from Persia (modern-day Iran). When they spot this extraordinary star hovering over Israel, they know from prophesies that this light signifies the birth of the king of the Jews. They immediately pack up and head out to find this newborn king.
Understanding God’s Word and listening to His voice enables us to hear His calling and obey immediately.
The Magi travel a long way. I wonder if they grew weary. As they leave Jerusalem, they are disappointed and discouraged.
Sometimes, even when we know we are following God’s leading, we can grow tired and weary. Following God requires prayer and persistence.
When they reach their final destination, the Magi fall down and worship Jesus.
Authentic worship requires true humility before God.
The Magi put aside any prejudices and cross-cultural differences as they kneel in humility before someone of a different race and religion.
Recognizing they are created in God’s image, we accept others who are different from ourselves regardless of the color of their skin, their gender identity, their orientation, or their religion.
The Magi unpack their generous gifts to the Christ Child, laying them at His feet.
We worship God by generously giving back to Him the best of our time, money, talents, and resources.
After worshipping the king of the Jews, the Magi continue to follow God’s calling through a dream and travel home by another route.
When we’re up against life’s bad actors, we listen to God’s still and quiet voice rather than listening to those who would deceive us or distract us from our God-given purpose.
The Magi’s epiphany doesn’t stop at finding the Christ Child. They experience God in the ordinariness of a dream before traveling back to their homeland.
Look expectantly for God to show up in the ordinariness of everyday life. Pray to have spiritual eyes to see Him and then slow down enough to actually see Him at work.
Epiphany is the moment the Magi gaze into the face of a newborn baby and behold the face of God. In that moment, the extraordinary interrupts the ordinary and divinity becomes humanity. In their epiphany, the Magi fall down in worship of this Christ Child, this king of the Jews.
Jesus stands at the crossroads of His extraordinariness and our ordinariness: God in human flesh, both fully divine and fully human. His birth is no ordinary birth but rather it is the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah. He is no ordinary child born of human parents but rather He is the Son of God who has come to die on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins of living life without God. Our faith journey begins with the epiphany that, through His resurrection, Jesus is our Savior. We are reconciled to God the Father and are empowered to live out His purposes of grace, mercy, and justice here on earth before living forever in eternity with Him.
Throughout our faith journey, God continues to interrupt our lives of ordinariness with His epiphanies of extraordinariness. We only need to open our spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear Him working in our midst. It is our continual act of worship.
The Magi followed a star to worship the Light of the World. We follow the Savior of the world from a rough-hewn manger to an empty tomb. Our response, like that of the Magi, is worship.
Jesus, Your light shines into my darkness, illuminating my path to follow You. I thank You for the epiphany that You are indeed the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. May I fall down and worship You as the one true King, bringing what I have to lay at Your feet. May my joy overflow as I live out Your calling on my life to shine Your light of grace, mercy, and justice into the darkness of this world. Open my spiritual eyes and ears to experience Epiphany throughout this coming year as You reveal more of Your extraordinariness to me in the ordinariness of life. In Your precious Name I pray, Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photograph copyright © 2021 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of an old barn in California.
A NOTE ON RACIAL JUSTICE: Becoming antiracist is a journey. Together, we can make a difference. Will you join me? Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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