Daily Devotional

January 6th 2026

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TUESDAY

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled His birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship Him.” —Matthew 2:1, 2 (MSG)

Today is Epiphany. It marks the twelfth day of Christmas—the end of Christmastide—and the appearance of the Magi to worship the Christ child.

After Jesus was born, non-Jewish scholars from the East arrived in Jerusalem to pay homage to the King of the Jews. Their mention of a star is significant because ancient Near Eastern cultures believed the birth of a king was often marked by meteorological or celestial occurrences. The fact that they are non-Jew worshippers amplifies the global impact of the coming of Christ. The writer of Matthew sets Jesus’ birth story within the political and social context of 1st century Palestine to highlight how Jesus’ birth connects to God’s intervention in human history.

Jesus is the promised Messianic king, who marks the completion of God’s salvation work. Jesus is not just the means of salvation for some, but for all who will receive Him.

Because the Magi follow heaven’s directions, they find themselves in the right place, at the right time, with the right King! They were willing to travel a great distance—some 800 miles—to find Messiah, expending time and effort in doing so. When they see Jesus, emotion overcomes them. They kneel—likely prostrating themselves—and worship the Babe.

Their worship includes the giving of gifts. They do not come empty handed! They bring valuable gifts as an outgrowth of their worship. Their act of giving reminds us that our response to God’s love and activity towards us should be worship that is both valuable and costly.

For us, Epiphany is our reminder that God is not merely our Creator, but our Companion along our journey. Wisdom is moving toward God and trusting God to reveal Divine love toward us.

PRAYER: Lord, on this Epiphany, we want to be like the Magi—in the right place, at the right time, with the right King. We thank You that Jesus is salvation for anyone and everyone who will seek Him. And we do not come empty handed. We bring our total selves to You as an expression of our commitment to You and to the work of glorifying You before a world that desperately needs You. Bless our efforts today, we ask in the name of the Christ, who is our King. AMEN!

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