Devotion: Epiphany
Epiphany
Please take a moment and read the scripture from this weekend: Matthew 2:11
On Sunday morning, as I listened to the scripture of the Wise men traveling to see Jesus, I started envisioning all the kindergarten Christmas programs I’ve directed in the past several years. Their story begins with a parade of animals, each crawling on all fours and peeking their heads into the manger to see Jesus. They offer what gifts they haveโฆ cows giving milk, chickens giving eggs, and all sharing the warmth of the barn. Then the tiny angels whirl and twirl their way to the manger as they praise God. Next, the shepherds and sheep visit the miracle baby, and are compelled to go out and tell everyone what they saw. And finally, the wise men follow this magnificent star on their journey to the manger where they find the child. They kneel down to worship him and present him with gifts.
If we reflect on how those characters of the Christmas story worshipped the newborn and gave him gifts, we find that it’s not all that different from how we worship and serve today. When it’s time for us to “kneel down to worship”, we make an effort to find a sacred space where our Savior resides. Usually, that’s in our church building, but maybe lately we’ve found a more humble setting, like our own living room with a live stream feed. We pray communally with those around us either within our church services, or when we say table prayers with our families, or when we pray with a friend. We upload playlists of Christian music to our devices and download podcasts to work into our daily lives.
Our lives also parallel the wise men as we present gifts of time, talent and treasure. So many in our faith community serve our ministry partners in a variety of ways, from feeding and clothing people who come to Barnabas Community to helping care for the sick at Clinic with a Heart. In our own church building, serving happens by those who teach classes or sing in choirs or shepherd a group of teenagers. Our members stand at the doors of the church and say “welcome” to those who enter. We serve communion, answer phones, help prepare supplies and fill technology needs. The ways to give and serve are endless. And as the new year rings in, we recommit to continuing to make worship a priority and finding ways to give, just like the Wise men did so long ago.
Gracious Father,
As we enter a new year, help us be like the Wise men by bringing our treasures, bowing our heads and worshipping your Son. Give us eyes to see all the ways that we can give our lives, our love and our all to serving this broken world. Let all that is within us adore You. In your mighty, precious and saving Son’s name,
Amen
Written by Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson is a member of Sheridanโs Devotion Writing Team. She works as Sheridanโs Childrenโs Music Coordinator where she is passionate about teaching children to use their musical gifts to praise God.
๏ปฟJulie is married to Scott and counts her greatest honor as being mom to Adrienne, Eliot and Elise.