- Epiphany........
- Revealing the
Life of
- Jesus.
Day 1
January 6
As you've enjoyed the Advent and Christmas season, you've no doubt often thought and have been reminded of the miracle of the baby boy born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem.
We've celebrated the miracle of His conception and birth for many years. We've awed at the strength and grace shown by Mary and Joseph. We've marveled at the levels of their faith that allowed them to be used of God, to bring His Son to earth. The overwhelming joy of being chosen by God to care for His child is something we cannot begin to imagine.
But, I've often imagined being in the stable that wonderful night when Jesus was born. To witness the first hours of this child in Mary's arms, and the pure joy in Joseph's eyes. But, would I have known Him? Would I have had the faintest clue of the miracle and majesty of that night?
What I know now is, I would want to be there today when the three kings or Magi arrived. To see the arrival of these three kings and the magnificent gifts they brought. To see their eyes and the expression on their faces when they fully realized that their place was to bow and worship the infant King. God was revealed to these three kings, and in turn, they revealed to the world their acceptance of Jesus, as Christ, the Son of God.
Today, think to a time in your life, when Christ and His majesty was revealed to you. When you prayed for deliverance and He delivered you. When you prayed for wisdom and He guided you. When you prayed for salvation and He saved you. God revealed himself to you and made His power evident to you. That is the day we celebrate today. The day God revealed Himself to the world in the form of a small, helpless infant born to a young and obedient couple.
How is God revealed to the world today? Is it through another virgin birth? Is it through another humble stable? Is it through shepherds and kings bowing to worship an infant? God is revealed directly to you, so that He might be revealed through you, to the world. You are His messenger, His light and His witness. What an exciting challenge! He is Emmanuel, God with Us, Revealed in Us. What an exciting message!
May we all accept this challenge and message! God is worthy of all our praise, offered freely or as a sacrifice. Thank you, Lord. You've been better to us than we deserve. Thank you for the opportunity to worship You!
Vicki Tompkins
North Little Rock, Arkansas (USA)
Father,
As we marvel at Mary and Joseph and the trust You put in them, we see them as worthy of that trust. But we begin to realize that trust has been put in us, also. You have put your trust in us to live as Christians in order to present Christ to others.
Mary and Joseph were chosen by You. Did You choose them because they were the most worthy or because they were the most commited to You of anyone in their day?
Your reasons are completely hidden to us and yet You have chosen us, also -- not by our works or worthiness, so that none of us can boast, but by Your grace. May we be as faithful to Your cause every day of our lives as Mary and Joseph were in their day.
Amen
[Psalms 46, 97][Isaiah 52:7-10][Revelation 21:22-27]
[Matthew 12:14-21]
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Edited: Jan 5, 3:10 p.m.
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