What Will You Receive?

This Sunday we will celebrate Epiphany of the Lord Sunday.  Epiphany is celebrated on January 6^th, immediately following the twelve days of Christmas.  It is the Sunday when we journey with the wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem.  There has been much curiosity and conversation about that holy star.  Some have proposed that the “Bethlehem Star” was the convergence of Saturn and Jupiter, a rare event that we recently had the opportunity to enjoy!  But truth be told, there is much mystery about that star.  It stayed fixed in the sky and led the magi – exotic out-of-towners – to the Christ Child.

The account of the magi brings with it many fun images and traditions.  It has been my family’s tradition to travel to Cabo at the beginning of each year.  (We’re taking this year off!)  We always look forward to an abundance of “King’s Bread” and the quest to find the baby Jesus figures baked into the loaves.  The “three kings” is a wonderful part of every Christmas Eve tableau…children processing down the aisles, wearing colorful bathrobes and donning burger king crowns.  But amid all the fun and festivity of “King’s Day,” there’s a deep and meaningful message about what was revealed in this Christ Child and for whom he came.

I hope you’ll join us for online worship at 9:00.  Please know that all are welcome to join the Wednesday Bible Study that reviews the scripture and sermon topic from the previous Sunday and reflects on the questions that are listed below.  If you’re interested in joining us from 11:30 to 12:30 on Wednesdays, please notify the church office or Pastor Lori and we’ll send you the Zoom link.  Drop-ins are welcome!  Looking forward to being together on Sunday!

Blessings,
Pastor Lori

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ²asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” ³When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵They 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.’” ⁷Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. ⁸Then 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.”

⁹When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. ¹¹On 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. ¹²And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.”

Questions to Consider:

• Do you have favorite memories around Epiphany or King’s Day?
• Why is the story of the kings associated with Epiphany?
• In terms of your faith, what is it that you have received and are still receiving in the aftermath of Christmas?