Scripture: Matthew 2:11-12
On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Thought for the Day: I love the image of the wise men entering the house, seeing Mary and the child, kneeling down and paying him homage. It is a very dignified moment where the magi from the east lowered themselves to one knee. Yet the Greek word we translate as knelt is pipto, and it is a bit more dramatic. The King James Version translates it as fell down. Kneeling is more of a choice – where falling down assumes that maybe they were pushed. Now I’m not suggesting that anyone literally pushed them, but so moved where they by what they saw, their knees began to shake as they felt awe sweeping over them. In my own life, I have had moments when I intentionally knelt down to pray or to give thanks. It was meaningful, but there have been a few times when it felt like the beauty of the grace revealed before me knocked my feet out from under me. For those moments, the worship was raw and powerful. Not every moment of worship will be like that, and that’s ok. But when those moments occur, kneeling formally and ceremoniously is simply not an option.
Prayer: May more than my knee bend when I come to worship, O my Lord and my God. May everything within me find reason to be awed by the immensity of your love. Amen.
EPIPHANY SUNDAY HAS ARRIVED
Rides to Meyer Park Start at 9:40am
Camel Walk From Meyer Park at 10:00am
Children’s Program at 10:30am
Worship Service at 10:30am
Lunch at 11:45am
