Rev. Jessi Higginbotham

Minister of Word & Sacrament

three magi on camels in front of a bright star

Epiphany

Epiphany is the season after Christmas. Epiphany begins with the story of the Wisemen following the star. Just like the Wisemen, we too follow the call of God, unsure where it will lead us. This is the Epiphany Star Project. You will be assigned a word (a metaphorical star) to follow throughout the year.

The Epiphany Journey

Follow the Star

paper stars with words printed on them

Matthew 2: 1-12

open bible

Lectio Divina

hands folded over bible

John 1: 1-5

Christmas decorations

More Epiphany Activities

Below you will find more activities you can do on your own, with your children, or as a family in the season of Epiphany.

  • candle

    A Holy Blessing

    Print and color an Epiphany image provided by Illustrated Ministry.

    Coloring Sheet IllustratedMinistry.com
  • three magi on camels

    A Holy Blessing

    20 + C + M + B + 24

    One of the oldest church traditions is done on the day of Epiphany, January 6.

    Using chalk, churches write the letters CMB bookended with the calendar year (seen above as 2024) above a doorway or on a path leading up to the church. You can do this as well at your home as a house blessing for the new year!

    CMB stands for "Christus mansionem benedicat" — May Christ Bless this Home.

    By adding the calendar year you are asking Christ to bless your home in the year.

  • beach

    An Epiphany Prayer

    Dear God,

    You came to us as the light of the world, to shine brightly and guide us. Inspire us through this star as we wander into the coming year.

    Light the way ahead of us and show us your path.

    Fill our hearts with love, anticipation, and joy as we go into a new year.

    Give us wisdom to seek your will and to listen for your voice.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, who came to us as a baby in a manger.

    Amen.

  • paper star decorations

    More About the Magi

The Epiphany Star Project

The Epiphany Star Project was started in order to help us engage in the Season of Epiphany. Epiphany begins on January 6 each year. It starts exactly 12 days after Christmas, when we suspect the Wisemen arrived at the stable to see the Baby Jesus. This season starts at the beginning of the calendar year, a time when many of us are making resolutions for the new year ahead of us. Similar to making a New Year's Resolution, the Star gives us something to anticipate throughout the year.

Every year, the Sunday before January 6, paper stars are given out in worship. Each star has a word on it. That is your word of the year. Tape your star somewhere you will see it throughout the year — on your mirror or refrigerator, some people keep them in their wallet. You are also invited to participate in this project online. Below you will find a link where you can click on a star and be assigned a word for the year. Only click once! The word picks you, not the other way around.

Sometime during the year God will reveal to you what that word means for your life. It could be something huge or it could be something small. Wait patiently. Listen for God's voice. Pray about your word.

You don't have to share what your word means to you. You don't have to make any major life changes or even a minor life change. You simply have to listen and pay attention.

Follow the Star…

Click on the star below and you will receive your Epiphany word of the year. Write your word down and remember it throughout the year. At some point during the coming year, God will reveal to you what that word means. Only click once!

Matthew 2: 1–12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 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.

lit candles

Lectio Divina

"Divine Reading"

Lectio Divina is a traditional monostatic way of reading, meditation, and praying through Scripture.

The idea is to promote communion with God.

There are 4 parts to Lectio Divina:

John 1: 1–5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Christmas decorations