The ‘they’ in this verse are the Magi, the wise men from the East who travelled so far to see the King of Kings, the child Jesus. How far did they come? Probably somewhere in the area of modern-day Turkey, these Magi were a learned group... Philosophers, astronomers, scientists, magicians... But most notably, they were also Gentiles. The Magi are the very first Gentiles in the Gospel stories to recognize the Messiah that aren’t Jewish-born. They represent a new theme in the Kingdom of God, something that the prophets knew, but the Herods avoided - God was/is at work everywhere drawing people to God.

The Magi are so much more than the “Three Kings” of the songs, they represent the hope of the whole world for God’s salvation. And they undertook a trek to great the personification of that salvation, against all odds, and dangers, including meeting terrible King Herod, they were resolved to finish their quest. And they did. They completed their journey by laying gifts at Christ’s little feet, recognizing a higher power at work in the human realm, a momentous breakthrough of God’s Kingdom on the earth.

In the spirit of the faithful Magi, we made our own resolutions in worship on Sunday, with our brothers and sisters at all of our worship services at FUMCA, by joining in together in the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer. I invite you to look over this prayer yourself and think about what it might mean for you in this new year to truly look for God’s will in all that you do:

Lord, make me what you will.

I put myself fully into your hands:

   put me to doing, put me to suffering,

   let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,

    let me be full, let me be empty,

   let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and with a willing heart

   give it all to your pleasure and disposal.

May we all seek an amazing and God-filled 2016 together!

And don’t forget, we will not be having our regular service this Sunday, instead the whole worshiping body of FUMC of Arlington will be joining in One Worship Service this Sunday at 10:45 am in the Sanctuary followed by an Church-wide potluck lunch!  Bring a dish with you and join us in a worship service that will bring us all together and celebrate the amazing worship diversity of our faith family!

In Christ,

Rev Jarrod