Focus
Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.
Read
The Visit of the Magi
2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah,
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Reflect
Today is Epiphany. I love the term epiphany. I love to have epiphanies, and I love when I hear someone say, “I had an epiphany today,” and then they explain their sudden realization of some life principle.
Epiphany has a couple of different meanings. The secular use of the term epiphany means, “a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.” Epiphany in the strictly religious sense is the term we use for the Christian feast and holiday of the Magi visiting Jesus. It is understood as, “The divine manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.”
It turns out, in my experience, that Epiphany is more than just a one-time event that is commemorated today. Epiphanies have been happening for the last 2,000 years. Every day there is a sudden manifestation of Christ into the hearts of people who had not experienced him. If you understand epiphany as a manifestation of Christ, even Christians continue to experience epiphanies. Christ tends to pop up challenging, changing, and comforting us in the most unexpected places.
My prayer is that this new year is filled with these experiences. I hope that throughout the year, you will be able to testify and witness to the regular manifestation of Christ in your life.
Pray
God, tune my heart to see You at work in the world and follow along, being faithful in all ways. Amen
Go with God.
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