We are quickly approaching the Day of Epiphany on January 6th, a day when the church has historically remembered the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Many cultures have celebrations on the Day of Epiphany, or as it is often called, Three Kings Day. One of the traditions is to share a Three Kings Cake, baked to resemble a crown, with various fruits and candies representing the jewels of a crown. Often, baked inside the cake is a baby Jesus figurine. The person who finds the figurine in their piece of cake is considered lucky or blessed and according to the various traditions, offers some kind gesture to the community in return.
I remember my first taste of Three Kings Cake. A wonderful family with some Puerto Rican heritage brought in a Three Kings Cake to a discipleship meeting and we all enjoyed it very much. We had a chance to be educated a bit about this cultural expression of Epiphany and enjoy a delicious snack. As you might expect with a group, someone found the baby Jesus in her cake. We had some fun with this unexpected surprise.
Before that night, I had never considered Jesus showing up in my cake! It was a first, and it got me thinking; I wonder if Jesus ever shows up in other surprising places? Immediately I remembered the words of the gospels which detail that Jesus was often found hanging around with tax collectors and sinners. He was scandalized for this as no-one expected the Messiah to associate with such people. Surprise! Jesus was there in their midst.
And while we’re remembering that we might as well be reminded that Bethlehem and a manger weren’t exactly on everyone’s radar either. Surprise!
So I wonder where you will go today or tomorrow, and I wonder if you might be surprised to find Jesus there? If I understand the mission of God, the work of the Spirit, and the pervasiveness of the Kingdom, God is already at work in all of the “little worlds” we so easily move in and out of. I dare say that wherever you go, you can rest assured that God is working there and what’s more, he’s hopeful that you will join him.
The first full week of January will soon be a memory—51 weeks left. What is your posture for the remainder of 2024? May I offer a gentle reminder? Let’s be attentive and available. We never know where the surprising Jesus may choose to make himself known.
– Sam Barber
