Friends in Christ Weekly Message
January 4, 2001

They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!
     They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
Matthew 2:10-11 (The Message*)

January 6 is the day commonly called Epiphany in much of the Christian church. Epiphany means manifestation, usually of divine power. The word is usually used to mean the actual appearance of God or a divine revelation.

Traditionally, Epiphany is the day that the church particularly remembers the story of the wise men. This story encompasses both the actual appearance of God in the Christ child, and the divine revelation to the wise men of the birth of the Messiah.

The wise men celebrated the incarnation of God in Jesus. We can celebrate the continued manifestation of God in our lives through a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Through this living relationship, God reveals His truth to us.

Eugene Peterson, in his The Message translation, does a good job of comunicating the excitement that must have been felt by the wise men who had been on a long journey anticipating this epiphany. The coming of the Messiah had long been anticipated, and they knew that they had witnessed this key historical event. They were overjoyed to have the privilege of worshipping him and giving him precious gifts.

Are we excited to be in the presence of the living God? Do we rejoice at the opportunity to experience Christ in our lives? Do we humble ourselves, and truly worship Him? What gifts do we offer Him? Do we realize that our love and faithfulness are far more precious to God than gold and the finest perfume?

Dear friends, may you live in the joy of experiencing epiphany in your lives each day.

Bill Samuel

* The Message version © by Eugene H. Peterson.

©2001 Friends in Christ, Inc.

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Document last modified on Saturday, 27-Dec-2003 11:57:01 EST