I Wonder...January 9th: Home by Another Way


 Epiphany home by Another Way
Matthew 2:1-12 | Ephesians 3:1-12 

Read:

This is what happened after Jesus was born, when wise men from another country saw a star over Bethlehem: 

“When the wise men saw the star, they were filled with joy. They went to the house where the child was and saw him with his mother, Mary. They bowed down and worshiped the child. They opened the gifts they brought for him. But God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they went home to their own country by a different way.” 

—Matthew 2:10-12 (ICB) 


Wonder:

I wonder how the wise men felt after their dream. I wonder how far out of their way the wise men had to go to avoid King Herod. I wonder if you’ve ever had to change plans like the wise men. I wonder what you were feeling when that happened. 


Say:

The good news is that when plans change, we can be brave and follow God like the wise men. Because even when we feel like we’re lost, God knows the way home. 


Pray:

Let’s pray. Dear God, change is hard. Thank you for being with us, even when things don’t turn out the way we expect. Help us be brave when we aren’t sure what the future holds. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


Extend: 

- Go on a walk around your neighborhood or in a park with your family. Take turns choosing which direction to go. 

- Draw a map of where you live. Label the places you know. 

- Read Home By Another Way: A Christmas Story by Barbara Brown Taylor. Illustrated by Melanie Cataldo. Flyaway Books, 2018. 

- Learn more about the history of maps and mapmaking. How have maps changed over time? Do you think the wise men had a map home?

written by: rev. anna strickland | sanctifiedart.org |


Thoughts for Tots 

Godly Play - Epiphany


Jokes for Joy

How do you tell a chili pepper from a bell pepper?

The chili pepper always wears a jacket.

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