What About Epiphany?

 During Sunday school the day after epiphany, we spent the lesson talking about the visit of the "wise men" to see Jesus. We dug deep into some of the details of the story - How many men were there? When did they arrive? What about the star? Were they wise men, kings, magi?

And then someone said, "This isn't the important part of the story." And someone else said, "Why does this story even matter?"

Good questions, both of them.

What is important in the story?

• Both the wise men and the shepherds were outsiders. The wise men were not Israelites. They were foreigners. The shepherds weren't foreigners, but were they accepted in society? So much so that we would choose them to be the first witness to the incarnation of God? We should learn that God is for everyone. That Christ came for all of us.
• I thought about that star. There is lots of debate regarding what it was. I don't think it matters. I think what matters is that God will lead us where God wants us to go, if we watch and maybe wait.
• The gifts seem important. Gifts for a king. Gifts that foreshadow Christ's death.
• Think about the wise men and Herod. Part of the wisdom of the wise men was the ability to discern where to place their trust. The didn't place it with Herod, did they? We need to be wise - not only to discern God's will, but to discern who to trust.

Last night, at our church council meeting, the devotional was based on the video below. What does the story matter? Because it gives us an opportunity to ponder how the birth of Christ can transform our lives.