This week we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord—or rather, our epiphany of His presence. “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” We hear the familiar story of the star and the Magi—the Three Kings—and how “they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” They offered him the best they had; their personal, financial treasure, their presence (presents) in praise and homage, and their ‘good’ behavior. They did the right thing in not giving Jesus up to Herod—and then they went home another way.
What gift were you hoping most to receive, but didn't? I love the following little story about gift giving.
A kindly 90-year-old grandmother found buying presents for family and friends a bit much last Christmas. So she wrote out checks for all of them to put in their Christmas cards. In each card she carefully wrote, “Buy your own present” and then sent them off. After the Christmas festivities were over, she found the checks under a pile of papers on her desk! Everyone on her gift list had received a beautiful Christmas card from her with “Buy your own present” written inside—without the check!
God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. As believers we know that the wages of sin is death (here and hereafter); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Think of where we would be today if God had decided that it was just too much trouble to save us. What if he had just never gotten around to sending his “check” to pay the debt for our sins? We have already received the greatest gift in the world—this is what the Christmas Season is all about! (The reason for the season!) God enclosed the check, and “sent it” to pay for the debt of our sin—now it's up to us to accept it and cash it! May God bless us as we learn to graciously accept His gift to us.
And so today we ask: What gift do we offer God in return? What treasures do we offer to Jesus? What gifts will you bring Him when you stand before Him? Your hands will be empty of things—but will you be able to offer Him your acts of generosity, your acts of kindness, forgiveness, mercy, love and charity? How about your thoughtful and dedicated and continual praise and thanksgiving? We are all like the Three Magi in that we must have something of value to offer our King in return for His gift to us. And I would be willing to bet that what He will appreciate most will be something hard to wrap…
Keep singing in your hearts!
Elizabeth Dyc
Just a Note: Here are two Christmas-Epiphany offerings by the choir which my son, Elliott, sings. The Star Song is appropriate for Epiphany! Enjoy!
The First Nowell: https://youtu.be/WvRX9lRWjV4
The Star-Song: https://youtu.be/V-X88Zqo5g8
What gift were you hoping most to receive, but didn't? I love the following little story about gift giving.
A kindly 90-year-old grandmother found buying presents for family and friends a bit much last Christmas. So she wrote out checks for all of them to put in their Christmas cards. In each card she carefully wrote, “Buy your own present” and then sent them off. After the Christmas festivities were over, she found the checks under a pile of papers on her desk! Everyone on her gift list had received a beautiful Christmas card from her with “Buy your own present” written inside—without the check!
God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. As believers we know that the wages of sin is death (here and hereafter); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Think of where we would be today if God had decided that it was just too much trouble to save us. What if he had just never gotten around to sending his “check” to pay the debt for our sins? We have already received the greatest gift in the world—this is what the Christmas Season is all about! (The reason for the season!) God enclosed the check, and “sent it” to pay for the debt of our sin—now it's up to us to accept it and cash it! May God bless us as we learn to graciously accept His gift to us.
And so today we ask: What gift do we offer God in return? What treasures do we offer to Jesus? What gifts will you bring Him when you stand before Him? Your hands will be empty of things—but will you be able to offer Him your acts of generosity, your acts of kindness, forgiveness, mercy, love and charity? How about your thoughtful and dedicated and continual praise and thanksgiving? We are all like the Three Magi in that we must have something of value to offer our King in return for His gift to us. And I would be willing to bet that what He will appreciate most will be something hard to wrap…
Keep singing in your hearts!
Elizabeth Dyc
Just a Note: Here are two Christmas-Epiphany offerings by the choir which my son, Elliott, sings. The Star Song is appropriate for Epiphany! Enjoy!
The First Nowell: https://youtu.be/WvRX9lRWjV4
The Star-Song: https://youtu.be/V-X88Zqo5g8
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