Image from efcspringlake.org
Hear Here: http://bit.ly/39LJOM6
1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.' " 7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. (Matthew 2:1-12 NRSV)
Happy Dia de Los Reyes Magos, dear Friend! This is the day when in Mexico, Latin America, and Spain, and certainly some households here in the States, marks the end of Christmas festivities with the placing of gifts in the shoes of children who leave them outside their door. It is believed that the three kings have left them there for them. When we lived in the Valley of Texas, this weekend would see our mall filled to capacity from our neighbors from the South, who bought various gifts to place ON shoes because some really big gifts are left on that day for the kids. You might have noticed that your grocery stores had king cakes or roscas for sale, which is an oval pastry with dried fruits, icing, and nuts on them, and inside a tiny plastic baby representing the Christ child who was hidden from Herod and his desire to kill Him. The tradition in some homes, businesses, groups, is that a nice party is held, the cake is cut and a slice shared with everyone present. The one receiving the baby inside his/her piece, must then host the party next year. Dare I forget, it is also the day in which most people take down their Christmas tree and other decorations. (I'm not making any such promise! LOL)
For the other parts of the world that do not celebrate the 3 Kings, today is Epiphany. The word means a manifestation or revealing the true divine nature of Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, our Lord and Savior. For some, the fact that these kings or wise men were not Jewish take it to mean that God revealed to all humanity the need to know Jesus for Who He is, and should be in our lives. Herod certainly counts in that crowd, but his insecurities and fears led him in another way; to kill all male children aged two and under, for Herod wanted to stay as king of the Jews for all of his life.
Some people have shared how epiphany has been a revelation in their lives to which they are now being called to change their lives. Some have shared how it was Jesus who has led them away from drug and substance addictions, leading them to sober lives or making life-saving and life-changing attitudes towards that which was killing them. One wrote how he was a highly paid news anchor and reporter who had a vision from God about a church he was to start and in the vision he saw people he knew and didn't know. He put that aside for a few days until a stranger approached him and said, "You have heard the revelation God shared with you, and now the time to take action." He started a church with 7 people which grew to 150 in three years, and the man is now happy that he abandoned his career for the one God had planned for him.
Today may be the day when God will reveal to you exactly what it is that God wants for you. What will you decide?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank You for Jesus and for faithful men and women who still follow the Christ child into new ways of life. I pray that You would make clear to me what I need to do to become the son or daughter You have for my life. I know change is needed in my life, and with Thy help I will make those changes; in Jesus' name I pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! May others see in you the light of Jesus in ways that blesses them with Jesus!
Receive my blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
