When my husband joined the military, I thought I knew what military life was like based on his stories and my experience moving every two years growing up while my dad set up Xerox. Nothing prepared me for life in the military. I love being in a military family, learning new things, and meeting new people. When I feel like I found a hairstyle or a dentist, my husband comes home with orders.
It seems that the time to pick up and move happens every eighteen months to two years. Moving means a new job and friends. New can be good, but it can also be scary and overwhelming. Moving overseas presents a different level of emotion–excitement, fear, hesitancy, adventure, homesickness, weariness, and wonder.
Epiphany reminds us of the arrival of the Wise Men. They probably traveled at least a year from their fields in the East. They stopped to see Herod, the king who wanted to know about Jesus. He asked them why they were in his territory. They were honest and told him about following a star to locate their King. Herod, full of jealousy, allowed them to continue to find this king with ulterior motives.
After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:9-12
The Wise Men found Jesus’ family and worshiped the king. They gave him gifts, each representing a part of Jesus. Once they left, they returned home in a different way. Jesus was still in trouble.
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:13-15
Joseph listened to God. They fled to Egypt to protect Jesus. Epiphany reminds us of the Wise Men worshiping Jesus. Advent reminds us of God’s protection and provision for His Son. God knows where we are all the time. We can’t hide, avoid, or escape Him. Our caring, loving Father knows where we are, ready to hear the prayers from our hearts.
God knows where we are all the time.
It doesn’t matter if we are in the desert, under the sea, or in a remote location; God knows where we are all the time. He constantly cares for us and knows our needs. Many nights, as I held my sick child, I could rest because I knew God was watching over us. In every military separation, I know God is taking care of my husband and us. Continuing to practice traditions like Advent, Christmastide, and Epiphany despite distance keeps us close. We remember our family love and God’s protection and provision.
The gifts from the Wise Men remind us of Jesus’ royalty, priesthood, and humanity. He is the High Priest, the King of Kings, and the Son of Man. He knows all our weaknesses and how we sin. God’s grace and love are showcased in Jesus’s life. He is God’s greatest gift and ultimate sacrifice. It is the news we all should be sharing.
Hosting an Epiphany party is a great way to remember the importance of the Wise Men. It can be a sweet time to worship our King of Kings, the High Priest, and our perfect sacrifice. How can you help teach family and friends about Epiphany?
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Call Signs: How Knowing God’s Character Empowers Women to Accomplish His Mission https://a.co/gKpqQmQ
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