Epiphany

One of the things I have tried to communicate to myself and the ladies in my SS class is that we must not try to over complicate our faith life. It is not about knowing and doing all the "do's" and all the "don't's.' This leads to frustration and legalism. This kind of Christianity becomes just another religion and ritual not relationship. Our faith is based on a real, living personal and intimate relationship with the real and very personal Jesus, the Son of God. He hears us and sees us and invites and even pursues relationship with us. When we get up each day and focus on I have to do this and that so I will be a good Christian or so that God will love me more we are focused on the wrong thing. Focus on Him. Get up and talk to Him. Talk to Him about everything and listen to Him; that is relationship. He will lead you along your journey and the "do's" and "don't's" will be fulfilled.

Our journey is seeking Him, seeking to be in His presence and not letting anything stop you until you see Him face to face.

So what is Epiphany? That is what many call today; the 12th day of Christmas. Nov. 30 to Dec. 24th is the Advent; the season of excitedly anticipating the birth of our Savior. The 25th of Dec. is the Birth of our Lord and Savior. Those 12 days following are the 12 days of Christmas leading to the day we celebrate the coming of the Wise men.

We know that the Wise men did not arrive in Bethlehem on the day of His birth but it was much later. We know this biblically: 1.The wise men arrived at a house. The census would have taken a long time without the modern conveniences we have today. Also, there was not a reason for Joseph and Mary to return home knowing the reputation they had and Joseph needed to provide for his family. [Matthew 2:11] 2. The word change in describing Jesus, he was at birth a "babe" brephos which means infant; and now He is a "Child" paidion, little child. [Matthew 2:8,9,11,13,14] and 3. When the wise men went to Jerusalem to ask about where the newborn King was Herod pretended interest and "determined from them what time the star appeared." He then gave orders for all the 2 year old's and under in Bethlehem and surrounding areas "according to the time which he had determined from the wise men" to be put to death. He probably gave himself some wiggle room just to be safe. So Jesus at this time was probably 12 to 18 months old. [Matthew 2:1-17]

The wise men (don't really know how many) from the East saw the star near the time of His birth. They packed up and started on their journey in seeking this King in order to worship Him.
As they journeyed God led them along the way, even their encounter with Herod was God's will in order to fulfill prophecy. As God led them they followed. They didn't let anything keep them from worshiping this King. They sought Jesus. Their whole journey was focused on Jesus and not all the peripheral issues.

As I stated in the beginning our journey needs to be simplified to seeking Jesus and his presence and then walk with Him (not asking Him to be with us) through each day. Trusting Him to lead us with every detail.

Seeking Him Today