Tessera Materials

Opening Prayer

O God of light and peace,
whose glory, shining in the child of Bethlehem,
still draws all people to yourself:
dispel the darkness that shrouds our path,
that we may come
to kneel before Christ in true worship,
receive his grace,
offer him our hearts and souls,
and return from his presence to live as he has taught. Amen.

Scripture

Ephesians 3:1-12 NIV
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— [2] Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, [3] that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. [4] In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, [5] which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. [6] This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. [7] I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. [8] Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, [9] and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. [10] His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, [11] according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. [12] In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Matthew 2:1-12 NIV
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem [2] and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” [3] When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. [4] When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. [5] “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: [6] “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” [7] Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. [8] He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” [9] After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. [11] 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. [12] And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Reflection & Discussion

This past Tuesday was the Day of Epiphany—a day to reclaim the awe and wonder that all humanity is invited into through the promises of God’s grace, and the freedom to become heirs of God’s covenant of mercy first given to Israel. The Magi from the East were drawn into this awe and wonder.

From the beginning, God chose a tiny nation and invited them to live vulnerably in the midst of surrounding powers, principalities, and great empires. They were called to rely not on human strength or strategy, but on God’s grace, mercy, and sustaining presence. Peace of heart and mind was to be received as a gift, not manufactured or seized. Yet living this way was often difficult. Surrounded by mighty empires, God’s people struggled to trust these promises. Again and again, they longed to be like those empires—to secure their future by grasping power rather than trusting God. Vulnerability felt risky; dependence felt uncertain.

In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew, we see this contrast clearly. King Herod’s anxious, defensive energy stands in stark opposition to the wonder, awe, and quiet peace embodied by the Magi. Perhaps, like the Magi, we too are invited to receive the wonder, awe, and peace God offers us—rather than carrying and managing the nervous energy that so often defines our lives. This is the impact of the boundless grace of God in Christ that forgives, protects and renews.

• Where do you notice “nervous energy” showing up in your life right now?
  What situations, relationships, or responsibilities tend to trigger it, and how do you usually try to manage or control it?
• The Magi respond with awe and trust, while Herod responds with fear and defensiveness.
  When faced with uncertainty, which response do you relate to more—and why?
• God’s people were invited to receive peace as a gift rather than produce it themselves. What does it look like for you to try to manufacture peace instead of receiving it? What habits or coping strategies reveal that?
• Where do you feel pressure to “be like the empires” around you—strong, self-sufficient, protected? How does that pressure affect your faith, relationships, or sense of rest?

Closing Prayer

Bright Morning Star,
your light has come,
and the birth of Jesus
has overwhelmed us with awe, wonder and joy.
Like the magi of long ago,
may we be drawn to you
and offer you such gifts as we are able.
May we return to our lives this week in vulnerability as conduits of your grace and peace to a hurting world in need of your renewal. Amen.

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