Great Plains Daily Devotional for 1/8/2022

Christmastide ends in January with Epiphany, a day that commemorates when the Magi (or Wise Men or Three Kings) visited Jesus, according to Matthew 2:1-12. Folks all over the world celebrate Epiphany through a variety of popular traditions, including singing, feasting, swimming in January (!), and special church services. Two major traditions include ceremoniously taking down the Christmas decorations and "chalking" the front door to the home. On January 6, turn on your favorite Christmas playlist as you mindfully take down and pack up all Christmas decorations. You might decide to leave one small decoration out to remind you to live with the Christmas spirit all year long.
Once complete, gather at the front door of your home. With a piece of chalk, mark on the door post: 20 + IIIK + 21. These symbols mean that, in 2021, the Three Kings (IIIK) can find Jesus in your home.
After chalking, pray the following traditional blessing from the UMC:

May we, in this house, and all who come to visit, to work, and to play, remember these things throughout the coming year. May all who come and go here find peace, comfort, joy, hope, love, and salvation, for Christ has come to dwell in this house and in these hearts.

*Content provided by Rev. Melissa Gepford, Intergenerational Discipleship Coordinator