This is the message I preached to Miller’s Station UMC on January 4, 2026. My anchor verses were Isaiah 60: 1-3 and Mathew 2: 1 -12
When I was a child, I attended St. Anne’s Catholic Church. When they set up their nativity scene, only Mary and Joseph were seen in the stable, then the baby Jesus arrived at Christmas Eve mass. The Shepherds and the Wise men, all were stationed farther around the church and made their way slowly to the stable until they too arrived on Epiphany Sunday.
Epiphany, a term rooted in the Greek word meaning “manifestation,” marks a profound moment in our Christian faith — a time when God’s vision of salvation for all creation is revealed through Christ Jesus. Jesus comes into our lives to show us what being Human means. He shows us what it means to be loved by God. As we gather today to reflect on the scriptures, let us open our hearts to the sweeping scope of this vision, which calls for the ingathering of all peoples into God’s loving embrace. Epiphany challenges us to move beyond the boundaries of race, ethnicity, religion, social class, or national identity, reminding us that in Christ, these divisions are set aside, and unity is made possible through divine grace.
Our reading from Isaiah comes from a section known as “Third Isaiah,” addressed to post-exilic Israel around 520 BC. Imagine the Israelites returning home after decades in exile — a people wounded, humiliated, and traumatized by the loss of their temple and their treasures, by the experience of being forced into bondage in Babylon. The exile was not merely a physical displacement; it was a spiritual crisis, a time when hope seemed lost and their identity shaken. Many of us in our country today feel like this as well. Yet, in this moment of vulnerability, Isaiah brings a message of consolation and restoration. Listen to the words spoken to a recovering nation: “Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall throb and overflow. For the riches of the sea shall be poured out before you, the wealth of nations shall come to you. Caravans of camels shall cover you, dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense and heralding the praises of the LORD” (Isaiah 60:5-6).
Isaiah’s prophecy is like a promise that the days of loss and humiliation are coming to an end. Where once the riches and glory of Israel were seized and carried away by a conquering nation, now, through God’s mercy, the time will come when the nations themselves will bring their treasures in joyful homage. It is a reversal of fortunes — a testament to God’s faithfulness and restorative power.
This theme finds fulfillment in today’s gospel reading. The magi, wise men from distant lands, journey to Bethlehem bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their visit is not just a historical event; it is a living illustration of Isaiah’s prophecy. Yet, the significance of Epiphany extends far beyond the arrival of the magi. It reveals how, throughout history and even today, people from all nations continue to bring their offerings to Jerusalem at the feet of Jesus. Each act of devotion echoes the words of our responsorial psalm: “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”
As we contemplate the meaning of Epiphany, let us recognize it as an invitation — an opportunity to celebrate the boundless reach of God’s love and the promise of unity for all people. May we, too, become bearers of gifts: gifts of hope, reconciliation, and praise to the Lord who gathers us together in His light.
Let us turn our attention to the account of the Magi found in Matthew, a story that invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of kingship, revelation, and faith. In this passage, we encounter two contrasting figures: the infant Jesus, the true King born in humility, and Herod, a ruler driven by fear and self-interest.
Contained within this narrative is not only the tale of two kings but also the tale of two cities. Bethlehem, the city of David, is introduced as the birthplace of Jesus — the Christ, the child of the Holy Spirit, our Savior, and Emmanuel. Bethlehem stands in stark contrast to Jerusalem; a city steeped in prophecy (Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-22:5) yet now overshadowed by Herod’s reign and destined to witness Jesus’s sacrificial death.
We are introduced to the “magi,” mysterious figures whose identities remain shrouded in scholarly debate. Were they astrologers, philosophers, magicians, religious advisors, or intellectuals of great prestige and wealth? Tradition gives them names and numbers, but what is clear from the text is that they were Gentiles — outsiders drawn by the light of God’s glory to witness and honor the birth of Jesus. This manifestation of the divine light to those beyond Jesus’s native land echoes the inclusiveness prophesied in our other lectionary readings today. We cannot gloss over the significance of having non Jewish or even non Christian participants in this story. Like so much already packed into today’s narrative, these “non Jews'” will point us towards Jesus’ larger narrative of inclusiveness in the kindom of God.
Consider the significance: these Gentile seekers journey from afar, moving the narrative from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, guided by dreams and divine signs. Their arrival strikes fear into the heart of Herod, who, threatened by the prospect of a new king, responds with anxiety and cunning. Herod’s troubled heart prompts him to consult chief priests and scribes — figures who will later play roles in Jesus’s suffering and death. With the guidance of scripture (Micah 5:2; 2 Samuel 5:2), Herod points the magi to Bethlehem, but his intentions are anything but noble.
The magi, following the logic of earthly kingdoms, first seek a royal birth in Jerusalem. Yet, it is only when they turn toward Bethlehem, the city of David, that the star leads them to Jesus and His mother — not to a palace, but to a humble home. Their overwhelming joy upon finding the child stands in stark contrast to the terror felt by Herod and his subjects. In their joy, the magi recognize not only a king but a savior, and instead of presenting their treasures in a royal palace, they lay their gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh — before the kingdom of heaven itself, where true treasures belong (Matthew 6:19-21; 13:44).
The story then shifts, and we witness Herod’s fury. In his attempt to secure his power, he commits unspeakable cruelty. What happens next has real world resonance today – The Holy Family becomes refugees, fleeing to Egypt, and Herod’s legacy of violence persists through his descendants. Yet, Herod and those like him never achieve their intended aims. The story of Jesus is not theirs to control, for God’s kindom transcends all earthly power and subverts the rules of human dominion.
As we watch the world events unfold, many of you have asked for prayers for the world’s affairs, let us hear the gospel message. The story of Jesus is not the worlds to control. God’s kindom transcends all early power and subverts the rule of human domination. Let us, like the magi seek the light of Christ, to discern God’s will amidst the kingdoms of this world, and to offer what we have in service to the true King. As we celebrate Epiphany, let us remember that God’s revelation is for all peoples, and that our own journeys may require courage, faith, and the willingness to follow holy dreams, even if it means taking the long way home.
Jesus was born in the darkness of oppression and hardship and is recognized as the light. The metaphor of Jesus as the Light of the World encapsulates His divine mission and the transformative impact of His presence in the lives of believers. Through His light, He offers guidance, truth, and salvation, calling His followers to reflect His light in a world in need of hope and redemption.
For believers, Jesus as the Light of the World has practical implications for daily living. Followers of Christ are called to walk in His light, rejecting the deeds of darkness and living in truth and righteousness. Ephesians 5:8-9 exhorts, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.”
Furthermore, believers are tasked with reflecting Christ’s light to the world. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus tells His disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” This call to be light-bearers emphasizes the transformative power of living in Christ’s light and the responsibility to witness to others.
As I consider the closing of this week’s message and blog, I am mindful of the precipice we stand up on this week. We are at the dawn of the new year. 361 days of new opportunities. I challenge you to learn how to see this year. Just like hearing is an active process, so too is seeing. The Magi demonstrates to us that it is not the people who look like us who can reveal wisdom and truth. In this same vein, let us go forward asking ourselves “when have we experienced God revealing Godself to us?” As a small church, I have heard “how can we grow” I challenge you, how can you take an active role in making Christ present in your community as a member of this church? How do you make yourself so irresistible and curious that people want to learn more and come here and explore?
Finally, I challenge you this week to find a way to make Christ present to those in your life. Don’t be a Herod. Even when you have as many gifts and riches as the Magi did, give them all. This can be as simple as writing a note to a friend, dropping off canned goods at your local blessing box or food bank, or being intentionally present and kind to those with whom you find yourself in proximity. You might want to take some time to reflect further and possibly journal on today’s reflection questions. Seek to find the revelation of Christ in the people around you.
Read more on Patheos – Seek. Understand.
