Welcome to your daily devotional for January 6, the Feast of Epiphany. Today, we celebrate the journey of the Magi—the Three Kings—and discover how their search for a King offers us a roadmap for our own spiritual journey today.
Daily Devotional for January 6, The Feast of Epiphany
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” — Matthew 2:1-12
The Power of Looking Up
The Wise Men were not prophets or kings of Israel; they were observers, scientists, and seekers. Why did they notice a star that everyone else missed? It was because they were looking up. While others were consumed by their daily routines, their wealth, or their earthly worries, these men kept their eyes on the heavens.
In our modern world, it is so easy to keep our eyes fixed “down”—on our phone screens, on the pavement beneath our feet, or on the weight of our own problems. The Epiphany is an invitation to raise our eyes. God is constantly sending us “stars”—signs, inspirations, and people—to wake us up and lead us toward Him.
Are we looking up enough to see them?
Treasures for the True King
When the Wise Men finally reached the house, they didn’t find a monarch on a golden throne. They found a baby with a humble mother. Yet, a miracle of faith occurred: these great men fell down and worshiped Him. They opened their treasure chests and offered gifts that revealed exactly who they believed Jesus to be:
- Gold. Recognizing Him as King and the Lord of our lives.
- Frankincense. Recognizing Him as God, the one who hears and answers our prayers.
- Myrrh. Recognizing Him as a Man who came to suffer and die for us, our Redeemer.
Returning by Another Way
The most vital detail of this story comes at the very end: after their encounter with Jesus, they “returned to their country by another way” (v. 12).
This is the reality of the Gospel: Whoever truly encounters Christ cannot remain the same. You cannot meet the Savior and then return to “Herod”—to your old sins, your old habits, or your old ways of thinking.
The encounter with God inherently changes our direction. When we see Him for who He truly is, our path forward must be different than the path that brought us there.
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Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for the “stars” You place in my life to lead me to You. Forgive me for the times I have been too focused on my own worries to look up. Today, I offer You my “gold, frankincense, and myrrh”—my life, my prayers, and my gratitude for Your sacrifice. Change my heart and lead me home by a new and better way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
To You
What “earthly worry” has been keeping your eyes focused downward lately? Today, make a conscious effort to look up and ask God to show you a sign of His presence in your life.
