On the 12th day after Christmas, we celebrate Epiphany.  Epiphany is the manifestation of Christ as the Son of God.  Three significant events in the life of Christ are acknowledged in celebrating Epiphany (when His divinity shines through His humanity):  the adoration of the Magi:  the baptism of Christ in the Jordan:  and the first miracle at the wedding feast of Cana.  Epiphany also holds a look forward to the 2nd coming of Christ.  As you read through the following passage, allow yourself to be open to what God might reveal to you today.

Matthew 2:1-12

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,  “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.  He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities[c] of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ”

 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.  Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!  They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

Questions for reflection:

• What did you hear as you read the Word?
• What is your response to Christ? Do you recognize him as God?
• What can you bring as a gift of worship?
• Can you think of “epiphanies” you have experienced? Where have you noticed or experienced the light of Christ?
• What does it look like for you to walk back into your “own country” to manifest the light of Christ?