Roy’s Ramblings…Is On Vacation

Epiphany Sunday – when we recognize the visit of the Magi – brought gifts – Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh – symbolizing virtue, prayer, suffering … or … Christ as King, Priest, and Prophet – at the time ordinary gifts given to any King – so my question … what gifts are we prepared to give to Jesus, the church, to others??

This question is where I typically start each year on Epiphany Sunday – focusing on the gifts (ancient gifts, our gifts, gifts to church and society) but this year I was drawn to sacrifice. We always think of three Magi (because there were three gifts mentioned) but Scripture never says that there were only three … they would have had animals, people, tents, supplies … for a journey of hundreds of miles over many months. They would have had to prepare their homes for an extended period of time of them being away … they would have had to have spent a lifetime of research and planning ahead of time … they would have to have acquired the mentioned gifts … the sacrifice they would have made would have been extensive. Then the meeting with a hostile leader and the planning for a return trip on a different route. There is a lot in this story.

So as I said: sacrifice instead of gifts. What sacrifices are we planning for the new year? Yeah, no, I’m not thinking New Year’s Resolutions, where we lose a few pounds, watch less TV News, or pick up a new hobby. I’m thinking actual sacrifice. Commit to volunteering regularly to help others, make multiple or a single donation to church or a charity of your choosing, figure out a way that your gifts and talents can be used for the greater good, or any number of other genuine sacrifices to promote the Kingdom … to follow the example of Christ.

The Epiphany Story is one that we have heard our entire lives, but I encourage you to read/study it again (Matthew 2: 1-11) and listen/search for the details that you may have missed or that you have never heard before. From where did they come? What/where was the star? Who was the prophet that was quoted? How old was Jesus when they arrived? What gifts did they bring and what did they represent? What happened after the visit? There actually is a lot more in this story than three guys bringing house warming gifts.

Lets make a difference in 2026 – all in the Name of Christ – Pastor Roy