2010 Advent-Christmas-Epiphany Devotions

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
Bob and Cathy Gaugler

Light all the candles of the Advent Wreath

Read Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians1:3-14; Matthew 2:1-12

Epiphany celebrates the revelation to the Gentiles, personified by the Wise Men, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the World. Through this Jesus, all are now to be included in the great Covenant God first made with Abraham and his descendants, promising that He will be their God, and they will be His people. This remains the central promise of our faith. In Genesis, God told Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in heaven, and that through them all the world shall be blessed. Our Epiphany readings give us a path to follow as God extends this blessing to the entire world.

The opening verses of Psalm 72 ask God to grant the King all of the righteousness, intention, perseverance and judgment needed to support and care for the people. As a result, in verses 10 to 14, the rulers of the world will then render the King gifts, tribute, and service in recognition of these extraordinary capabilities he has received from the Lord, the God of Israel. As a chosen people, Israel and its leaders are called upon to act differently and show the world the way that God wants us to live.

In Isaiah, Chapter 60, the people of Israel, lost in exile, are told by the prophet that their time has come. They are told that a world in darkness will look to them for the light of salvation because of what God has visibly given to them: their knowledge and relationship with Him. The prophet foretells of the coming of all nations to Israel, bearing gifts of frankincense and gold, because through them the Redeemer will come.

The second chapter of Matthew tells the well-known story of the visit of the Wise Men, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophesy and showing, by the recognition of the kings of the world, that this child has a special role to play in the world – one far beyond the place and nature of his humble birth.

Finally, in Ephesians, Paul describes how he has been given a special revelation, a commission of God’s grace to extend the covenant relationship of God and the Israelites to the Gentiles, that is, to the whole world. Paul says that through the gospel, the eternal purpose of God has been carried out and Gentiles have become “fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise.”

Prayer
Dear God,
we give thanks for the Christmas gift of your Son …
and for the Wise Men.
In following their star,
they not only fulfilled the ancient prophecies,
they revealed the magnitude of your gift
to all the peoples of the world.
Give us their vision and guide us
as we continue to follow the Christmas star. Amen

Updated March 13, 2011