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http://sheridanlutheran.org/2014/01/epiphany-devotion/
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.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:1-12
EPIPHANY – remembered by the church on January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas.
Epiphany. The manifestation of God’s word. When Jesus was born, all the prophesies became real. Bethlehem was a real place that held a real child that would rule the people of Israel. How do you deal with that if you are King Herod? His first response was to listen to the religious leaders who confirmed the rumors were true. There were all the signs of greatness so he ordered astrologers, Wise Men, to seek this child out. They must have appropriate gifts to honor Him, so gold, frankincense and myrrh were offered.
I’ve heard this story for years. In fact, in our home, I am reminded of it daily during the Christmas season in a very special way. In 1938, my grandfather colored this very scene on a bed sheet. Each year I hang this tapestry in an honored place to share his artwork but also teach us about God’s Plan. When I was randomly assigned this devotional, I knew God was at work, showing me the way. I knew this message was meant for me. God sends us out into the world with very special gifts. Maybe not as unique as the Wise Men’s but ones we should give freely as they did. Up until last year, I thought those Magi’s gifts were pretty inappropriate for a baby. Now that I know more about essential oils, I realize just how practical the frankincense was…an ancient cure all. The myrrh (an embalming oil) was a foreshadowing of the things to come, and the gold, a very proper and useful gift for a king. It probably paid for the quick trip to Egypt the Holy Family made to wait out Herod’s death.
Our everyday lives are filled with seeking out our Lord and Savior. We are called to open our gifts and worship the King just like the Wise Men did.
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your light into the world. Help us to use our gifts to spread that light. Amen
This devotion was written by Cindy Swanson, member of the writing team at Sheridan Lutheran Church.
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.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:1-12
EPIPHANY – remembered by the church on January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas.
Epiphany. The manifestation of God’s word. When Jesus was born, all the prophesies became real. Bethlehem was a real place that held a real child that would rule the people of Israel. How do you deal with that if you are King Herod? His first response was to listen to the religious leaders who confirmed the rumors were true. There were all the signs of greatness so he ordered astrologers, Wise Men, to seek this child out. They must have appropriate gifts to honor Him, so gold, frankincense and myrrh were offered.
I’ve heard this story for years. In fact, in our home, I am reminded of it daily during the Christmas season in a very special way. In 1938, my grandfather colored this very scene on a bed sheet. Each year I hang this tapestry in an honored place to share his artwork but also teach us about God’s Plan. When I was randomly assigned this devotional, I knew God was at work, showing me the way. I knew this message was meant for me. God sends us out into the world with very special gifts. Maybe not as unique as the Wise Men’s but ones we should give freely as they did. Up until last year, I thought those Magi’s gifts were pretty inappropriate for a baby. Now that I know more about essential oils, I realize just how practical the frankincense was…an ancient cure all. The myrrh (an embalming oil) was a foreshadowing of the things to come, and the gold, a very proper and useful gift for a king. It probably paid for the quick trip to Egypt the Holy Family made to wait out Herod’s death.
Our everyday lives are filled with seeking out our Lord and Savior. We are called to open our gifts and worship the King just like the Wise Men did.
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your light into the world. Help us to use our gifts to spread that light. Amen
This devotion was written by Cindy Swanson, member of the writing team at Sheridan Lutheran Church.
