This past week my family and I did a lot of traveling. We went to Indiana for a wedding, from there we went to Minnesota to visit my family for our Christmas celebration, and then we drove back home to Warrenton. All in all it was a total of 27 hours on the road. It was a long trip, but nothing compared to the trip that the magi, also known as the wise men, took from the east to see Christ the king.

We don’t know exactly how old Jesus was when the magi went to see him. Many crèches (nativity scenes) have them seeing Jesus lying as the infant in the manger. We can figure that this probably wasn’t the case. There is really only one piece of evidence that points to this and that is that when Herod found out that the magi had not come back to report to him as they were asked he became outraged and ordered that all the males two years old and younger be killed.

In any case it was a long trip and one that these magi thought very important to make, for they were going to see the King of kings and Lord of lords. Even at that time, as the child of a poor carpenter and his young wife, Jesus was so important that three very important astrologers, wise men, some even call them kings, would travel such a long distance to see him.

This is what Epiphany is all about. Epiphany is a season, celebrated in many Christian churches, during which the majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed. The stories we focus on at this time of year are the visit from the magi; his baptism at which the voice from heaven, the Father, calls him his beloved son; his first miracle of turning water into wine; and we end it with all with his transfiguration, the time that he went up to the mountain with his disciples Peter, James and John and had a meeting with Moses and Elijah and was transfigured so that he shined with the brilliance and glory of heaven.

All of these events show the importance and glory of Jesus They show us that he was more than just a man who had somewhat of an impact on the earth. They show him to be who he really is, our God and our Savior.

The question is who is he to you? Is he just a guy that you simply go to when you need him? Is he someone that you are trying to appease so that he likes you more? Is he someone that you think about every once in a while when you get the “feeling”? Or is he the Lord and God of your life?

He should be our God and Lord, but he isn’t all the time, is he? We don’t think about him all the time. Our attitudes and actions are not always based on his will. Our life doesn’t always revolve around him. We fail all the time, every day.

My friends, that is exactly why he came in the first place. He came for us. He came to take our place. He came to be the guy that always had the right thoughts, actions, and attitudes for us. He came to provide the perfect love that we couldn’t provide. He came to give the perfect sacrifice that we couldn’t give. He came to be Immanuel (God with us).

For all this it is our duty to thank and praise, serve and obey him. He doesn’t require it of us for our salvation. We don’t obey him to be saved. We obey him because we are saved. Our Christian life becomes one of thanksgiving and praise because Jesus came to earth to save us and because WE ARE SAVED by his precious blood and righteousness.

Throughout this Epiphany season listen to and reflect on the stories of Epiphany. Through His Word, allow him to reveal himself to you as he really is, your God, so that the peace that goes above and beyond all understanding might keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, all the way to your eternal life!