Pause

First, God said Christ would come.

Next, Christ came.

Then, he served.

Now, he lives in you.

Take these next few minutes to look deep within yourself to see the presence of Christ, alive in you!

Listen

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.”

Matthew 2:1-2

Think

Today is the start of Epiphany! This day, the church remembers the Magi (or wise-people) who came to honor Jesus. The word “epiphany” means “appearance;” specifically, the “appearance of God in the flesh.” The Magi saw a star and followed it until they encountered the Christ child.

There’s this scene in the movie Forrest Gump where Lieutenant Dan asks Forrest if he’s found Jesus yet. (He was really asking if he was a believer.) However, Forrest took him literally and said, “I didn’t know I was supposed to be looking for him.” It’s a humorous scene, but it begs the question... does Jesus “appear” to us or do we have to “find” him? I don’t know what the Magi believed, but I do know by following the star, they were open to encountering the newborn king either way.

Some of us feel it’s our responsibility to find Jesus, while others feel Jesus should find them first. In any case, the Magi remind us to be open to whatever might bring us closer to Jesus.

Jeremy Wilhelmi

Pray

Holy Christ, whether I’m searching to find you or waiting for you to appear to me... open my heart so that when it happens, I may honor and praise you. Amen.

Go

O star of wonder, star of night, / Star with royal beauty bright. / Westward leading, still proceeding, / Guide us to thy perfect light.

from “We Three Kings” by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1857)