Epiphany: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
6 January 2026
Bible readings
Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14
In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
Matthew 2:1–12
The, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Songs and hymns
A special star (StF 223)
As with gladness men of old (StF 224)
Bethlehem, of noblest cities (StF 225)
Birth brings a promise of new life awakening (StF 226)
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning (StF 227)
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (StF 228)
Riding out across the desert (StF 230)
The silent stars shine down upon us (StF 231)
Opening liturgy
Emmanuel, God is with us!
The Lord is King! Let earth rejoice!
O God of this Christmas season, we have journeyed together, have given and received gifts beyond compare, and rejoiced once again with thankfulness for the gift of Jesus.
Emmanuel, God is with us!
The Lord is King! Let earth rejoice!
You keep on giving no matter what, no matter where, no matter how we live. You search us out, you find us and shower us with treasures beyond our imagining, with gifts far greater than gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Emmanuel, God is with us!
The Lord is King! Let earth rejoice!
In thankfulness, let us live our lives sharing the gift of treasures that we have with others, being generous with ourselves, our compassion, our love, our purpose and your Spirit, for the treasure chest that you instill in us will never be empty but will keep on giving.
Emmanuel, God is with us!
The Lord is King! Let earth rejoice!
Symbol: Treasure chest
Background notes
Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14
We first encountered the opening verses of this psalm in the second week of Advent, where the focus is on a king who rules with justice – protecting the poor, judging with righteousness and bringing peace.
Today’s reading picks up with verses 10–14. Here, neighbouring kings come in surrender, offering financial tribute. Attributed to Solomon, the psalm reflects a contemporary vision of Israel’s dominance – an ideal where foreign powers are not only subdued but contribute their wealth to the nation. In its original context, this is a celebration of political strength.(1)
There’s a striking irony in using this text for Epiphany. When the Magi bring gifts to Jesus, they are not bowing to a powerful, conquering monarch but to a vulnerable child.(2)
Verses 12–14 return to the heart of this ideal king’s mission: compassion for the poor and vulnerable, and deep concern for justice. The king is not praised for military might or wealth, but for rescuing the needy and honouring the dignity of every person.(3) Verse 14b offers a rare and powerful statement: “precious is their blood in his sight.” The true treasure in this psalm is not silver or gold, but the peace and liberation that flow from a just and compassionate reign.
Matthew 2:1–12
The visit of the Magi is one of the most evocative scenes in the nativity story, rich in symbolism and surprise.
The “wise men” or Magi were likely astrologers or scholars from Persia, in the region of modern-day Iran. To Matthew’s Jewish readers, they would have been viewed with deep suspicion: foreign, pagan and outside the covenant community. And yet, they are the ones who come seeking truth.(4)
Their journey foreshadows the final commission Jesus gives at the end of Matthew’s Gospel: to go and make disciples of all nations. The arrival of these outsiders is a glimpse of the global reach of the good news. Jesus is a gift not confined to one people or place – he is sought by those who are hungry for truth, wherever they come from.(5) He is, quite literally, the gift that keeps on giving.
Herod stands in stark contrast to both Jesus and the Magi. Where they seek and worship, he plots and clings. Herod is paranoid and possessive, desperate to hold onto power.(6) The Magi, meanwhile, kneel in reverence and open their treasure chests, willing to part with precious gifts in honour of one they recognise as greater. They seemed to know that earthly treasure is not to be held tightly.(7) May we too give the gift of Jesus freely and widely.
(1) Brueggemann and Bellinger, Psalms, p. 314.
(2) Brueggemann, Cousar, Gaventa, Newsome, Texts for Preaching Year A pp. 85–86.
(3) Weiser, The Psalms, p. 504.
(4) Evans, Matthew, p. 51.
(5) Brueggemann, Cousar, Gaventa, Newsome, Texts for Preaching Year A pp. 89–90.
(6) Evans, Matthew, pp. 53–54.
(7) Davies and Allison, Matthew, p. 27.
Questions for discussion
Justice and compassion in leadership
- How does the picture of the ideal king in Psalm 72 challenge our usual ideas about power and leadership?
- In what ways can we reflect this kind of compassionate leadership in our communities today?
The Magi as seekers
The Magi were foreigners, outsiders seeking truth.
- What does their story say about who is invited into God’s kingdom?
- What might it mean for us to be open to gifts and truth coming from unexpected places or people?
Giving and sharing
- How might we sometimes hold tightly to “earthly treasure” rather than freely giving and sharing the gift of Jesus?
- How can we cultivate a spirit of generosity like the Magi in our own lives?
Global reach of the gospel
- The Magi’s visit points to the gospel’s invitation to all nations. How can we live out this global vision in our church or daily life?
- What practical ways can we reach out to those who are on the fringes or might seem ‘different’ or ‘outside’ our usual community?
Hands-on activities
Journey of the Magi diorama
Materials: paper, fabric scraps, small boxes or figurines.
Activity: Create a visual scene of the Magi’s journey. Include the star, camels, gifts and the stable.
Reflection: Reflect on the journey of seeking and giving.
Gift boxes
Materials: Origami gift box templates, paper, pens.
Activity: Decorate small boxes and fill them with ‘gifts’ that represent things we can give to others (kindness, time, prayers, service).
Reflection: Talk about how we can give these gifts freely.
Salt dough gifts
Materials: Salt dough, cutters and tools.
Activity: Shape the dough into shapes that express what Jesus means to us. Make a hole at the top. When dry, decorate them, putting ribbon through the hole and place them on display.
Reflection: Notice all the different things that Jesus means to us.
Prayer ideas
Ripple prayer – passing the gift on
Ask people to reflect silently on this question: “Who has been a gift in your life recently?”
Then ask: “To whom might God be calling you to pass on love, grace or encouragement this week?”
Invite people to say, aloud or silently:
“Jesus, your love is a gift that never runs out. Help me to keep it moving.”
Conclude with:
“May we be part of your never-ending ripple of grace.”
Breath prayer
Use a breath rhythm like this:
Inhale: “You are the gift…”
Exhale: “…that keeps on giving.
Encourage the group to take a few slow, quiet breaths together. Then close with: “May we never stop following the light. May we never stop giving what we’ve been given.”
Pathway prayers
Create a simple path on the floor, or use a finger labyrinth to ‘walk and reflect’ on the coming days in your life.
Who are the people you will meet? Where are the places you will go? Ask God to help you be part of the gift that keeps on giving, sharing good news and God’s love wherever you are.
Global prayers
In Europe the Church is continuing to experience the enrichment from Methodists around the world. The Methodist Church in Portugal is planting new churches as Portuguese-speaking migrants arrive with their faith looking for a home. This is the unexpected gift of wise people bringing modern day gold, frankincense and myrrh in new songs, new patterns, new words of worship.
Almighty God,
your Kingdom is one of renewal and love.
May we see the rhythm of your renewal in our churches today
Good news given and received.
We pray with all on the move, bringing gifts from lands afar to new places.
May we give our gifts with open hearts to a new place
Help us to find people of peace to build community.
We pray for all receiving wise people into congregations and homes.
May we receive the gifts and learn a fresh expression of faith.
Help us to embody your surrounding care for those newly arrived with us.
A renewed people, inspired for your mission.
Amen.
The good news to get across
You are like a treasure chest, filled with gifts waiting to be shared.
Generosity isn’t just about giving things; it’s about sharing your time, your encouragement, your compassion and your joy. When you freely offer these gifts, you reflect God’s love and make the world a richer, brighter place.
So open your treasure chest with courage and kindness, knowing that your gifts can make a real difference in the lives of others.
Ways people can respond
Invite people to hold their gift box in their hand, and pray that God may use them as a gift to other people who want to know God.