Day 40 / January 5, 2012

Daily Scripture

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:11b–12 (NIV)

Daily Prayer

You have called me out of darkness to seek Your Presence and Your will. Across the arid deserts of my hardened heart, my will, my sins, and my stubbornness.

I bring you gifts and lay them at your feet: my mind, may it be set on You, my soul, may it be filled by You, my spirit, may it be alive with You!

In the name of the Father precious, and of the Spirit of healing balm, in the name of the Lord Jesus, I embrace Your Epiphany.

Day 39 / January 4, 2012

Daily Scripture

Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Matthew 2:9–11a (THE MESSAGE)

Daily Prayer

Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice. Alleluia, alleluia! Sounds through the earth and skies. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light.

“The Quest of the Magi” (Part V), John Henry Hopkins Jr. (1857)

Day 38 / January 3, 2012

Daily Scripture

When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shep- herd-rule my people, my Israel.” Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth- announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”
Matthew 2:3–8 (THE MESSAGE)

Daily Prayer

Myrrh is mine: Its bitter perfume Breaths a life of gathering gloom. Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light.

“The Quest of the Magi” (Part IV), John Henry Hopkins Jr. (1857)

Day 37 / January 2, 2012

Daily Scripture

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”
Matthew 2:1–2 (THE MESSAGE)

Daily Prayer

Frankincense to offer have I. Incense owns a Deity nigh. Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God on high. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light.

“The Quest of the Magi” (Part III), John Henry Hopkins Jr. (1857)

Day 36 / January 1, 2012

Daily Scripture

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:33–38 (ESV)

Daily Prayer

Sometimes I want to know the future, what lies ahead in the path You offer me. But I am fairly certain that if You were to show me, I would turn away in selfishness or fear.

Please, Lord, show me only what I need to know. Help me to trust in the paths You lead me on. Remind me that You never take me anywhere that You will not walk by my side.

To the Father who carries me over jagged rocks and torrid streams. And the Son who straightens crooked passes. And the Spirit who lifts me out of destructive pits. Blessed Trinity, help me understand Your Epiphany.

Day 35 / December 31, 2011

Daily Scripture

In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation; it’s now out in the open for everyone to see: A God- revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel.
Luke 2:25–32 (THE MESSAGE)

Daily Prayer

You have promised throughout Your word, I am coming again. You have given Your promise to a desperate world, I am coming again.

But that promise seems hazy, a myth to bring hope. And I find it hard to fathom, that You could return in my lifetime. Yet Your promise remains I am coming again.

Only the Father knows the hour of the return. And the Son promises to return. May the Spirit prepare me for the return. Blessed Trinity, help me understand Your Epiphany.

Day 34 / December 30, 2011

Daily Scripture

When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived. Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God’s Law: “Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God,” and also to sacrifice the “pair of doves or two young pigeons” prescribed in God’s Law.
Luke 2:21–24 (THE MESSAGE)

Daily Prayer

We are asked to trust in the Lord with all our heart. But I keep finding more of my heart that wavers. You implore me to not lean on my own understanding but that is the staff I am most comfortable leaning on.

I know that in all my ways I should acknowledge You, Lord, but sometimes that seems too simple, too unimportant. Tame my restless, selfish heart that I may obey You and allow You to direct and guide my life.

Father, enfold, surround, and speak to me. Son, be in my life, on my lips, and in my heart. Spirit, be with me in my waking, my watching, my hoping. Blessed Trinity, help me understand Your Epiphany.

Day 33 / December 29, 2011

Daily Scripture

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:1 (NIV)

Daily Prayer

Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect Light.

“The Quest of the Magi” (Part II), John Henry Hopkins Jr. (1857)

Day 32 / December 28, 2011

Daily Scripture

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing (saying) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and [by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child, And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them. But Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
Luke 2:15–20 (AMP)

Daily Prayer

There is a hunt that You have placed in my heart, a desire to find the Savior who calls to me. It is a pilgrimage that lasts a lifetime and its only fulfillment shall come when I am reunited with Christ.

And in that day, after the veil of flesh has faded away to a body gloriously resurrected and new in You, will I begin to understand that it is You, not I, who was the Hunter that sought my heart as your prey.

Father of life, shepherd me this morning. Son of peace, illumine this day. Spirit of time and eternity, enfold me this night. Blessed Trinity, help me understand Your Epiphany.

Day 31 / December 27, 2011

Daily Scripture

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terri- fied. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: a Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger. At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. Luke 2:8–14 (THE MESSAGE)

Daily Prayer

The Lord is my shepherd and in Him I want for nothing. He guides me rest in my all too chaotic life, and He leads me to still waters, where I can drink of Life. My soul is restored as I follow His ways and not my own.

Even when I walk through terrifying and dark times, the fear of death, the fear of anything evil falls by the wayside. Even as my enemies surround me, He provides abundantly, and His presence overflows through me to others.

I follow His path knowing the Father watches over me. I follow His path knowing the Son walks by my side. I follow His path knowing the Spirit encompasses me. Blessed Trinity, help me understand Your Epiphany.