This year, the Twelfth Day of Christmas falls on Sunday, January 5th. At our church, it’s going to share the day with Epiphany Sunday. Can you imagine it? Those twelve drummers drumming as they march down the aisle of the church?
That may or may not happen.
But the excitement such a demonstration would bring: That we need to pour into our Epiphany Sunday. Christmas celebrates the day Jesus came to the people of Israel. Epiphany celebrates when, in the form of the three wise men (the Magi), the rest of the world joined in.
Here’s what we think we know about the Magi. Some “wise men” (astronomers? scientists?) from somewhere east of Israel observed a light in the sky they had never seen before. They interpreted its presence to mean a new “King of the Jews” had been born. Somehow, this light—the star—moved westward, in the direction of Israel. The Magi took note of when the star first appeared, packed up some supplies and gifts, and headed west—not knowing their final destination.
They upset Herod “and all of Jerusalem” when they revealed why they had come. Scripture said the child would be born in Bethlehem; so, the Magi left Jerusalem, following the star until it “stopped” over a house. They went into the house where they presented their gifts to Mary and the baby. They didn’t trust Herod, so these wise ones took a different route home. Still, based on their earlier interactions with him, Herod calculated the child had been born within the past two years.
None of that actually explains what the Magi saw in the night sky, why they believed it heralded the birth of Israel’s new king, or that, at least to them, it moved westward. We are left with lots and lots of supposition, and little clarity, about those visitors from the East.
Here’s what we can know: God got their attention by placing something unusual where they couldn’t help but see it. God enticed them to leave the comfort of their homes and travel to meet Jesus—and bring gifts fit for a king. God led them to Jesus using that same unusual thing.
The same is true today. God calls us in ways we understand, and then leads us gently to that place of meeting.
One thing that is perfectly clear in scripture is that we are to enjoy ourselves in this season. If you haven't picked up on that in your Bible reading, look again. It's there.
That is my wish for you. As we finish up the twelve days of Christmas, take time to soak up the good stuff. Take a break. Put your feet up. Eat some fruit cake. Drink some wassail. Sing "The 12 Days of Christmas" and giggle when you mess up on the eight whatevers. Spend time with loved ones. Cut them (and yourself) some slack. Snuggle. Play. Hug.
Enjoy.
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Happy New Year! We’re taking a holiday break from Lectionary Breakfast. Look for us to start up again on January 10, 2025. I’ve included the Epiphany scriptures in case you’re celebrating Epiphany on Sunday January 5th instead of Monday the 6th.
Blessings,
Steve
SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY & THE COMING WEEK
Find them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts/?y=384&z=c&d=11
Print them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/Cx_SecondSundayafterChristmas.pdf
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 147:12-20
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:(1-9), 10-18
Second Sunday After Christmas (January 3, 2025
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SCRIPTURES FOR EPIPHANY
Find them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts/?y=384&z=e&d=12
Print them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/Cx_EpiphanyoftheLord.pdf
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
Epiphany of the Lord (January 6, 2025)
