What Gifts Will You See?
Posted on Jan 02, 2019 by Heather Lewis
This Sunday, Jan. 6, the season of Epiphany begins with the Magi giving their precious gifts to Jesus. Did you know that many countries celebrate gifts from the Magi instead of Santa? Children in Latin America write letters to the Magi detailing their good behavior and asking for presents, while children in Spain leave straw in their shoes by the door for the Magi’s horses on Epiphany eve, and find sweets in their place in the morning.
I love reading about how amazed people were by the signs that revealed Christ: the symbolic gifts of the Magi, John baptizing Jesus, water being turned into wine at the wedding in Cana — the Bible talks about those astounded witnesses, but how many others missed out on the significance of these events? Perhaps they saw but didn’t believe, or dismissed it as something that just didn’t make sense.
Are you someone who looks for signs of God, or do you recognize after the fact that perhaps He intervened to make things turn out as they did? I believe that God still gives us signs to reveal His truth. Whether that comes in the form of an epiphany of our own understanding, or a simple gesture of love and kindness from a stranger, the signs are there.
I encourage you to go back and think about those things that didn’t make sense at the time, and see if there is a sign for you there. Take the time to be amazed enough to praise God when His signs appear. Those gifts are ours to receive, and also to give.
In
Christ’s love,
Heather Lewis
Director of Music and Worship