Podcasts about Magi

Sunday, January 25, 2026 | The Four Agreements: Ancient Wisdom for Dreaming Today | Pastor Michelle preaches on the third agreement "Don't Make Assumptions" in a sermon based on John 5:1-9.

This video reflects on the readings for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, focusing on the concept of fear.The speaker contrasts two types of fear:Worldly Fear (Herod's Fear): Herod's fear is characterized by a desire to maintain power and control, leading to envy and a destructive impulse when he hears of the new "king of the Jews" (0:22-1:12).Fear of the Lord (Magi's Fear): This is described as a gift of the Holy Spirit, manifesting as awe, reverence, resulting in generosity, and obedience (1:55-3:00). The Magi demonstrate this by paying homage to Jesus, being generous with their gifts, and obeying the dream to avoid returning to Herod (1:38-3:24).The video emphasizes that "fear of the Lord" is not about being scared, but about a deep reverence for God. It encourages listeners to strengthen this gift through:Prayer and Silence: Lifting hearts, minds, and souls to God in prayer, particularly in silence, is crucial for strengthening this gift (3:30-4:28).Obedience and Being a Gift of Self: Obedience means emptying oneself of selfish ways to allow God to fill them, becoming a vessel for His will and being a "gift of self" rather than being selfish (4:30-5:30). Saying "yes" to God's calling, even when it's inconvenient, strengthens this gift (5:38-6:26).The reflection concludes by encouraging viewers to commit to spending time in silence, lifting their hearts to God, and asking for a strengthening of the "fear of the Lord" to foster obedience and generosity (6:33-7:01).

So far in our Epiphany series we have explored the two core stories of this season, the Adoration of the Magi and the Baptism of Jesus. This week we begin to explore other stories that reveal something about who Jesus is and what his movement is about. Many, if not most, of us are familiar with the story of Jesus's miraculous "Feeding of the 5,000," but what if there's more going on with this story than what we see on the surface? What if the real miracle is not just about a supernatural multiplication of loaves and fishes, but about the transformation of the human heart? Josh will invite us to consider all that and more in this week's sermon. ⛪️ To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit https://gracepointe.net/about-us

Sunday, January 18, 2026 | The Four Agreements: Ancient Wisdom for Dreaming Today | Guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, preaches on the second agreement "Don't Take Anything Personally" in a sermon based on Matthew 10:5-15.

Sunday, January 11, 2026 | The Four Agreements: Ancient Wisdom for Dreaming Today | Pastor Michelle preaches an on the first agreement "Be Impeccable with Your Word" in a sermon based on Matthew 12:33-37.

Sunday, January 4, 2026 | The Four Agreements: Ancient Wisdom for Dreaming Today | Pastor Michelle preaches an intro sermon, entitled "You're the Star," focusing on the story of the Epiphany and giving the WHY behind our new years series based on the "The Four Agreements".

In episode 519 of the podcast I'm joined by astrologer Reverend Lindsay Turner to discuss the story of the Magi, the birth of Jesus, and the astrology surrounding the Nativity story. We explore the celebration of Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, and analyze the Gospel of Matthew's account of the astrologers from the East who followed a star to Bethlehem. We discuss the distinction between approaching the Nativity as a historical event versus a literary narrative, and how the author of Matthew partially used the story of the Magi to legitimize Jesus as a king in the 1st century. We also look at technical astrological terms found in the Greek text, such as anatole or "at its rising," and how this relates to Hellenistic astrology. We also talk about the relationship between early Christianity and astrology, including the non-canonical Acts of Paul and Thecla, the liturgical seasons aligning with the Zodiac, and how modern Christians can reconcile their faith with astrological practice. Lindsay's Website https://badpastor.me Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro00:00:34 Epiphany and Three Kings Day traditions00:01:45 The Nativity story and the Star of Bethlehem00:03:50 Historical vs. literary approaches to the Gospels00:05:41 The Gospel of Matthew and Hebrew prophecy00:08:05 Reading the Magi passage (Matthew 2:1-12)00:10:52 Who were the Magi? Astrologers vs. Persian priests00:12:00 The context of natal astrology in the 1st Century00:13:30 The political subversion of the Nativity story00:16:27 "At its rising" (Anatole) as a technical astrological term00:18:23 Crossover between New Testament Greek and astrological texts00:20:14 Theories on the Star: Comets, conjunctions, and novae00:26:27 The solar eclipse at the crucifixion00:31:00 Astrology used to legitimize Jesus in Matthew00:33:30 Did the Magi renounce astrology?00:36:51 The Manger nebula in the constellation Cancer00:39:19 The Thema Mundi and the birth chart of the cosmos00:41:05 The debate over the date of Jesus' birth00:48:25 The Acts of Paul and Thecla and lost Christian texts00:54:38 Mary Magdalene and the seven daimons01:02:15 Fate, free will, and Stoicism in the ancient world01:05:45 Early Christianity as social rebellion01:09:30 Identity in Christ vs. astrological identity01:15:33 Liturgical seasons and the Zodiac01:17:28 Saturnalia, Sol Invictus, and the origins of Christmas01:21:50 Stigma against astrology in the modern church01:29:50 The shared origins of Christianity and Hellenistic astrology01:32:00 Astrology as a bridge between science and religion01:35:10 Lindsay's upcoming book and contact info01:36:35 Sponsors and credits Watch the Video Version of This Episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J68CV7YYm0 - Listen to the Audio Version of This Episode Listen to the audio version of this episode or download it as an MP3:

The Magi were drawn by the light of the star to experience the Light of the World. Epiphany means the manifestation or showing forth of God in the person of Jesus Christ so that we may experience and know our God. How do we live a life for the ongoing Epiphany experience of God for the healing and transformation of our souls? In Romans 12, the St. Paul gives us the words we say in every Mass: "And here we offer ourselves." Today it is suggested that we start by offering our need and our brokenness to God for His help and mending. To those who do so, His Epiphany will be made manifest out of God's love for them.

We all know the story of the Magi: they were three kings who followed a star to Bethlehem. But what if this common nativity narrative gets it all wrong? To uncover who the Magi really were, Helen and Lloyd take a trip in the Biblical Time Machine with Dr Eric Vanden Ekyel, author of the popular tome, The Magi: Who They Were, How They've Been Remembered (2022; Fortress Press). Eric Vanden Eykel is a New Testament scholar and Associate Professor of Religion at Ferrum College. In addition to his work on the Magi, he is the author But Their Faces Were All Looking Up: Author and Reader in the Protevangelium of James (2016; Bloomsbury), a book which explores another early infancy story of Jesus. SUPPORT BIBLICAL TIME MACHINEIf you enjoy the podcast, please (pretty please!) consider supporting the show through the Time Travellers Club, our Patreon. We are an independent, listener-supported show (no ads!), so please help us continue to showcase high-quality biblical scholarship with a monthly subscription.DOWNLOAD OUR STUDY GUIDE: MARK AS ANCIENT BIOGRAPHYCheck out our 4-part audio study guide called "The Gospel of Mark as an Ancient Biography." While you're there, get yourself a Biblical Time Machine mug or a cool sticker for your water bottle. Support the showTheme music written and performed by Dave Roos, creator of Biblical Time Machine. Season 4 produced by John Nelson.

1/18/26 Guest preacher Chris Hoklotubbe borrows from indigenous Bible readings to reframe the story of the Magi. In the opening few minutes, Chris plays the video of "Come and Get Your Love" by Redbone. He opens by discussing themes from that music video.

Where Christ Is, There Is Our Home Where Christ Is, . . . Today's Homily on the Feast of the Epiphany explores the manifestation of Christ . . . . . . not only to Israel, but to all nations. Through the journey of the Magi, the Homily reveals God's universal plan of salvation and the deeply personal invitation each person receives to seek, meet, and honor Christ. The Magi's response to the star becomes a spiritual model: they step outside the ordinary, look up, and allow themselves to be guided by a light beyond themselves. Seeing the star is not enough . . . they move toward Christ, recognizing that His coming is for them. Their journey reflects the innate human longing for God, a desire placed in every heart that, when followed, leads closer to Christ. . . . There Is Our Home The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh symbolize enduring spiritual virtues . . . charity, prayer, and self-denial . . . virtues acquired along the journey rather than possessed at the outset. In contrast, Herod and Jerusalem represent resistance to grace: agitation without movement, power without surrender. Ultimately, the Epiphany is not merely an ancient story but the ongoing rhythm of Christian life. Like the Magi, believers are drawn week after week to Christ's presence, where He not only receives their offerings but gives Himself in return, gathering not just some, but all, into His saving light. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: Where Christ Is, There Is Our Home -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Adoration of the Magi: Flemish Artist and Painter: Peter Paul Rubens: 1609 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: Rubens' dynamic composition draws all attention toward Christ at the center. Earthly power fades into the background, underscoring the homily's teaching that the true Jerusalem is not a place, but a Person . . . Jesus Christ. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12 First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

Finding the Child by Finding the Mother Today's Homily reflects on the Gospel of Christ's birth and naming, . . . . . . emphasizing that the Nativity is not a past event but a living, ever-new mystery that renews time itself. The Church proclaims that the birth of Jesus . . . God entering human history. . . stands at the true beginning of every year, making time “full” through Christ. January 1st, the Octave Day of Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and that to know the Son is to know the Mother. The Homily further highlights the blessing from the Book of Numbers . . . “May the Lord let his face shine upon you” . . . fulfilled in Christ, whose face first shines upon Mary and then upon all humanity. Shepherds and Magi alike find Jesus by finding His Mother, illustrating their inseparable bond. Jesus comes not for us to take Him home, but to bring us home into God's family through adoption. Mary, entrusted with the name of Jesus, reveals it to the world, making her the Mother of God, the Church, and all believers. The faithful are invited to begin the year seeking God's blessing, peace, and grace, confident that Christ . . . Son of God and Son of Mary . . . continues to shine His face upon them in the Eucharist. Listen more to Finding the Child by Finding the Mother ------------------------------------------------------ Quote from the Homily To know the Mother, to find the Mother, is to know and find the Son. This too is the great mystery that the scriptures of these days unfold before us. First it is the shepherds who come, and they find the child by finding His mother. This coming Sunday, we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany and the three magi come, and they will find the child by finding the mother. Know how wonderful this is, this inseparability between the two of them. To know the Son is to know the Mother. To know the Mother is to know the Son. This should not surprise us because the Lord has come. The Lord has come. Born of woman, born of Mary, born of a mother, not simply for us to receive Him. He has come to receive us. Jesus does not come into the world for us to take him home with us. Jesus comes into the world to bring us home with him. ------------------------------------------------------ Art Work Adoration: Italian Painter: Cappella Sassetti: 1485 ------------------------------------------------------ Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 16-21 First Reading: Numbers 6: 22-27 Second Reading: Galatians 4: 4-7

In various and often surprising ways, God reveals Himself through signs and miracles in order to draw humanity close to Him, including pagans such as the Magi. And it is the Magi who provide a model of adoration, knowing as they do that the most fundamental duty of man is to worship the true God. Through adoration and worship, we profess our complete dependence on God while acknowledging there is nothing higher than Him.

This week we continued our new series about Epiphany, the Christian season that focuses on the light of Jesus being revealed to the world. In this sermon Lead Pastor Josh Scott explores one of the core Epiphany stories: the Visit of the Magi. ⛪️ To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit https://gracepointe.net/about-us

• Pastor Stanton's message for: Sun, Jan. 11 2026• Matthew 2:1-12, 16-18 (The Magi Visit Christ)• Narrative Lectionary: Year 4• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship

The good news about who gets to define God. A sermon for the first Sunday after Epiphany on Matthew 2:1-12 by Rev. Justin Morgan.

Walk towards the light!!  Don't worry, not “that” light... the star in the East.  Join Karin Peter, Blake Smith, and the Magi on a trip to see the one who has been promised. On this Sunday of Epiphany we walk toward the light that is Jesus ... a light that is for all people and draws them to follow on a journey that symbolizes seeking and honoring God. Once you've made this trip, you'll likely go home a “different way,” seeing the world from a different perspective. At least we hope so. Learn more about the nativity in episode 532: Percolating on Faith | Christmas with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download the Transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey. NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

January 11, 2026: May God's words be spoken, may God's words be heard. Amen. Now, if you have been here these past few weeks of Christmastide and the Feast of the Epiphany, you would be right thinking that Jesus sure grows up fast, I mean we just celebrated his birth, then last week he's a kid being visited by Magi, and now he's a grown man! I mean, at this rate, a week from now should be Palm Sunday, right? Wrong. Well, sort of – Ash Wednesday is coming up in just a few weeks, so buckle up. Still, you couldn't be blamed for feeling a bit of lectionary whiplash right about now. Kinda the way you feel the day after Christmas when there's stuff in the stores for Valentine's Day, which I do NOT appreciate given that happens to be my birthday, and there is no need to rush it. But, back to the texts we heard today from the Gospel of Matthew and from Isaiah. In the gospel we here the story of Jesus' baptism. Left off of what we heard today, is what Jesus does just afterward. He is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where he encounters evil. And in the wake of all that has happened in our nation this past year, and most recently, this past week, it would seem a message we very much need today. I will speak more about that in a minute, but it is important to first underscore what we are hearing in today's texts – about Christ's baptism, yes, but also about our own. Our collect today, the prayer we offered at the beginning of this service, was this: “Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made…” This isn't just a dunk in some water – this is a contract with God – a covenant we make in the name of Christ, and that is sealed by the Holy Spirit. And in our passage this morning from Isaiah, we hear some of what that covenant requires of us. About the prophet, God says “I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” Now, think about that…and then hear again the vows we all make at baptism either for ourselves, or was made by our parents, and Godparents, and we later confirmed. We promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves, and striving for justice and peace among all peoples, respecting the dignity of every human being.” See, the thing is…when we are baptized, we are baptized into something…or really baptized into someone. It is an identity that comes with a calling – the calling to free the captives, fight for justice and peace, and to love and serve. We are baptized into a life of Christ – because we are the body of Christ alive in the world today. And as the body of Christ, we don't just leave the waters of baptism, grab a towel, and continue as though nothing happened. We do as he did after his baptism – we live the life we are called to live – a life of ministry in a broken world – a life of wilderness moments when we are challenged, and pushed to the brink. And Lordy, we are in the wilderness now. This past week our government continued its horrific, unconstitutional, racist, and cruel violence against the people of our nation. Renee Nicole Good, a US citizen and young mother of three, was gunned down while in her car by an ICE agent in Minneapolis this past Wednesday. Her wife, Becca Good, is left to care for their 6 year old son. The video of the attack is brutal to watch, and the lies about her and the incident by our government just add to the horror. Renee is not the first to be killed, or tortured, or imprisoned unlawfully. She sadly will not be the last. In fact, on Thursday, the very next night, two more people were shot by ICE agents in their vehicle in Portland. These are very dark days for our nation and for the world. Like many of you, I have been at more than one vigil in response – one of them just down the street from my home on the Newton Green– which is in the middle of a very red part of our Garden State. Like the other vigils, it was a community gathered in love amidst tragedy and hate. Sadly, even as we stood together, someone shouted out from a passing truck “ICE, ICE, Baby!” The cruelty of our President and his followers seems to be the point. Yet we were not deterred, and continued to stand together to be a witness to the horror that has taken yet another life. One of the things I have said at these vigils is that our faith is one that follows a man who preached love and peace, and was executed by the government because of it. Yet his resurrection taught us all that light will always overcome darkness, life is stronger than death, and love will always defeat hate. It is the only thing that can. Renee Good understood that truth. Her wife, Becca Good, said in a statement after her murder, said: “I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him. That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts, and we need to show them a better way.” Indeed we do. We must. Because love is the only way out of this long national nightmare. We must stand as a testament to the power of love – to heal, to restore, to change the world – because that is what we committed to in our own baptism. So, we will keep on fighting for the suffering Christ in our midst, never forgetting Renee and all the other victims. That is how we will change the world – one step, one vigil, one march, one act of kindness, one moment of courage at a time. But that does not mean the road will be easy for us. It certainly wasn't for Jesus. He had his time in the wilderness, and we are now deep within it too. Today, we are faced with a seemingly never-ending onslaught of cruelty by those who should be servants of the people. We are worn to the bone by the vitriolic hate our President, his team, and his supporters spew nearly hour by hour, all amid a daily avalanche of lies and purposeful misdirection by the ones we are supposed to trust. The purpose is to knock us off center and keep us so disoriented that we feel helpless, hopeless, and filled with rage. Why would they want this? It's simple really – it is so we respond with the same in kind. For evil knows that darkness will feed darkness, hate will fuel hate, violence will breed violence. They fan the flames to incite those who oppose them to be just like them, which will give them fodder to increase the violence in a never-ending cycle. And in moments like this, it is very tempting to give into it. Why not fight fire with fire – violence with violence, hate with hate. We feel so drawn to it, do we not, if we are honest with ourselves? But the thing is, we need to consider who tries to draw us to hate and violence. Remember what happened to Jesus in the wilderness – the evil one spoke to him – catching him when he was worn from his long journey in that place – and showing him a path forward that seemed so simple. If Jesus would only turn aside from God, everything would be great – he would be great – the evil one said. You could understand the temptation. I mean – he was promised he could turn stone into bread – that would solve all the hunger in the world. He could be made king over everyone – imagine today if you could take the power away from all the world's brutal dictators, including our own? Yet Jesus knew that isn't the path toward peace, toward wholeness, toward grace. It wasn't for him, and it most certainly isn't for us. To be clear – righteous anger at injustice is good and will propel us to act like Christ, and overturn tables of oppression. But anger rooted in hate will only lead to violence and a turning away from Christ – that can never be our way forward. No, not for those who are baptized into him. We are meant to choose another way. At that vigil the other night in Newton, the organizer wanted to close with the hymn Amazing Grace, but wasn't sure of the words. So, I stood beside her and helped lead everyone in singing those lyrics of redemption. One of those verses is: Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; 'tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. Grace is God's gift to us, and it, not hate, will always lead us through the wilderness and to home – where we will be grounded in the knowledge and love of Christ, and renewed to live as we are called to live in our baptismal covenant. And folks – that will change the world. It really will. God's grace is how we will get through this. Love is how we will change it. After I spoke at the vigil in Newton, a young mother of two boys – a teen of about 14 years old or so, and the other about 10 – came up to me. The teen apparently had told his mom after listening to me that he wanted to go to church, and she – a person who had been harmed by her own church experience – wanted to know where I was a priest, feeling that it would be inclusive. Since our parish is so far from where this was, I told them of another one they should try. That conversation filled me with hope – to see young people yearning for a relationship with God. And it is certainly something seen a lot these days as church attendance by all ages is on the rise. I believe that this is a sign of the future of the church, as people seek a way forward, and they witness us living out our lives in Christ. Because so many people today are yearning for an alternative to the madness they are witnessing. In a world filled with conflict, violence, hate, war, poverty, and abuse of the environment – seekers hope to be connected to something they sense is larger than all of that – stronger than all of that – to a God that loves unconditionally, and a faith community that reflects that love openly, consistently, and with intention. They are looking for comfort and peace, yes, but most especially, they want to know that God loves them in a place that welcomes everyone, amid a world that wants to exclude them. That is why what we do here is so important. It feeds us in a time of deep hunger, but it also is food for the world. Here is where we are given the strength for our wilderness journey. Here we offer that food of life to others. Here we are reminded of our baptismal contract with God – a life of prophetic witness, rooted in the love of Christ, that calls us to speak truth, to act for justice, to stand for peace, to offer hope and love to a people in darkness. We have made a commitment to God to be the ones to speak up against those who traffic in hate and violence. To be the ones to stand against those who seek to oppress and marginalize. To be the ones to respond to hate with love and lies with truth. And especially to be the ones to counter the racist, homophobic, and sexist, words and actions by earthly rulers and proclaim in the streets, in the halls of government, in our churches, and everywhere in the world that God loves EVERYONE– NO EXCEPTIONS – and so will we. For like the prophet in Isaiah, and like our savior in whose name we are baptized, we too were given “as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.” There are many in prisons now – dungeons of bigotry and oppression, poverty, hopelessness, loneliness, and addiction. This is not time to throw the covers over our head and attend the church of the Holy Comforter. This is not a time to tune out. This is not a time to not pay attention. This is not a time to forget who we are, and whose we are. This is the time for us to be who we were born and baptized to be – prophets of his light, grace, and love – God's beloved agents of transformation. And there is nothing – no President or other leader, no ICE agent or army, no person or organization, that can stop what we, together, and by God's grace, will bring about – the overturning of evil, and the restoration of the world. They may have killed Renee Good, but by the good in each of us, rooted in the love of Christ – we will prevail. Amen. For the audio, click below, or subscribe to our iTunes Sermon Podcast by clicking here (also available on Audible): Sermon Podcast https://christchurchepiscopal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sermon-January-11-2026-1.m4a The Rev. Diana L. Wilcox Christ Church in Bloomfield & Glen Ridge January 11, 2026 The First Sunday After The Epiphany 1st Reading – Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 2nd Reading – Acts 10:34-43 Gospel – Matthew 3:13-17 The post “The Good In Us” appeared first on Christ Episcopal Church.

The fulfillment of the coming of Jesus was expected by Zoroastrians. Several 'Magi' were spoken of in the Bible who were there at the birth of the coming Son of God (Jesus). Who were they, and what implications does this have on the potential validity of Zoroaster? Sections: 1:09 Introduction3:10 Historical Context4:31 God Gave Cyrus the Kingdoms of the Earth13:09 Cyrus is God's Shepherd and Messiah24:00 Does Cyrus (and Israel) not Know God?40:21 Magi in the New Testament- The Zoroastrians Come to Worship Jesus47:17 Who Were the Magi? - Authors Confirm ‘Magi' were Zoroastrian Priests55:00 Catholic Encyclopedia Ahura Mazda57:36 Catholic Encyclopedia on ‘the Magi'1:00:10 The Early Church Fathers on ‘the Magi'1:10:33 SummaryDownload MP3 and PDF: https://tinyurl.com/rk2jde66Links: Podcast (apple): https://goo.gl/CM4TmV Podcast (android): https://goo.gl/ovLmps Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bridgingbeliefs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgingBeliefs9 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgingbeliefs9/ X: https://x.com/BridgingBeliefs The Official Bahá'í site: http://www.bahai.org/Support the show

What happens when those in power use fear to control, manipulate and silence—and we choose not to let it be the end of our story? In a world shaped by anxious power, false alarms, and real threats, pastor Gerald's message from the story of the Magi, King Herod, and the newborn King Jesus in Matthew 2 invites us to notice where God is already at work and how trust can lead us another way.

Send us a textSome ideas make preaching feel optional. We take aim at one of them: the notion that hell purges sin or that escape comes later if you miss grace now. Starting with Job 12:14—what God shuts, no one opens; what he breaks down, none rebuild—we explore how divine sovereignty anchors assurance and energizes mission. If God opens the door of salvation, who can shut it? If he destroys the old man, can we become uncreated? These aren't abstractions; they're the difference between fear-driven religion and a life steadied by the finished work of Christ.Along the way, we revisit Martin Luther's outrage at indulgences and the economy of fear that preyed on the hungry. If forgiveness could be dispensed at will, why sell it instead of giving it for love? That question exposes why borrowed righteousness and the imputation of another's merit fall apart. We reflect on Spurgeon's note that the Magi worshiped Christ alone, then trace the thread to the cross where Jesus declares, “It is finished,” laying down his life with authority. From the ark's sealed door to Psalm 103's mercy and Isaiah 43's promise—sins blotted out “for my sake”—we show how God's name guarantees the preservation of those he saves.This conversation is both sobering and strengthening. False comfort about judgment invites apathy; the truth that God is just, holy, and able calls us to readiness, unity, and love. We share practical encouragement for teachers and listeners: prepare with reverence, speak with clarity, and carry the message to those who are weary. Wisdom doesn't stay in the study; it stands at the doorway and calls. If you've wrestled with assurance, mission, or the pull of easy answers, this one will sharpen your sword and steady your heart.If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs solid hope, and leave a review so others can find these conversations. What stood out most to you?Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Jim and Chris are joined by Jake to discuss listener questions on SSA-44 and IRMAA surcharges, inherited IRA spousal rollover rules, long-term care insurance benefit caps, and ACA tax credits. (4:45) George asks whether an unexpected W-2 stock option payout in 2025 could support filing SSA-44 to reduce 2027 IRMAA surcharges, especially if he stops consulting income afterward. (12:00) A listener asks whether SSA-44 can be used retroactively to request a refund of 2025 IRMAA surcharges after a job loss pushed MAGI below the threshold. (18:15) Georgette asks whether she can take withdrawals from her deceased spouse's inherited IRA without penalty and still later move the remaining balance into her own IRA. (28:00) The guys address why long-term care insurance policies often have a lifetime benefit cap and whether benefits can run out during an extended care event. (46:45) Chris and Jake cover whether long-term capital gains count toward the modified adjusted gross income used for ACA tax credits and can affect eligibility. The post IRMAA, Inherited IRA, LTC, ACA Tax Credits: Q&A #2602 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast, Hank brings up the Legacy Reading Plan, an innovative guide for reading through the Bible each year, so you can gain a better understanding of God's Word.Hank also answers the following questions:If the Magi followed the star in the East, wouldn't that have taken them in the wrong direction? David - Columbus, IN (2:06)What are your thoughts on the ministry of Michael Rozell and Refuge Ranch? Why don't we see the signs described in Mark 16:17-18 today? Aaron - Hendersonville, TN (4:25)My pastor is starting a series based on the book Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. Do you know anything about this? Bob - Atlanta, GA (6:50)How reliable are the notes in a Study Bible? Laura - Charlotte, NC (15:10)Who are the Illuminati? Roxanna - Phoenix, AZ (16:49)Are you a Young Earth or an Old Earth Creationist? Jeff - Alto, TX (19:38)Acts 16:25 records the singing of hymns; what kind of music is acceptable for churches? Bill - Modesto, CA (21:51)

In this episode of Amplify Your Process Safety, Rob and Magi wrap up the year by summarizing changes made to the RAGEGAP guidelines in 2025 and discussing some of the biggest incidents featured in our podcast this year. Stay tuned through the end of episode to hear Rob get up on his infamous soap box, something our clients know well, to deliver his speech on why process safety is so important!As we reflect on the year, it is important to remember the lives lost to process safety incidents in 2025. May they rest in peace, and may their memories always be a reminder of how much more work needs to be done to ensure that everybody gets to go home to their families at the end of the day. If you think your company could use our assistance in process safety management, please do not hesitate to reach out. For a deeper dive into some of the incidents discussed in this episode, check out the episodes below:Episode 122 - Incident Breakdown: 2023 Heater Fire at Marathon Martinez Renewables FacilityEpisode 128 - Incident Breakdown: Honeywell Geismar, LA IncidentsEpisode 129 - Incident Breakdown: Explosion, Molten Salt Eruption, and Fatal Injury at TS USA Liquid Nitriding FacilityFor more about the 2024 updates to the EPA RMP, check out:Episode 108 - 2024 EPA RMP Updates

Fear has a way of convincing us that silence and compliance will keep us safe—but what happens when staying quiet means cooperating with harm? This sermon explores how fear gets weaponized to control us, especially in times when oppressive power seems to be winning. Through the story of the Magi, we see what it looks like when an encounter with something true makes compliance intolerable. Shae Washington unpacks four questions that might help us resist letting fear dictate our choices: Where are we focusing our attention? What ways is God trying to guide us that we're missing? And uncomfortably—what patterns of fear-driven harm do we need to dismantle in ourselves? The Magi didn't confront Herod with speeches or swords. They simply chose another way home. If you're exhausted from hypervigilance and looking for permission to rest while still resisting, or if you're searching for what your "alternative route" might look like in 2026, this one's for you.

If you want to skip over some weather banter you can go to (14:15). Chris's SummaryJim and I review Roth IRA mistakes and walk through key rules on earned income eligibility, income limits, spousal contributions, excess contributions, and qualified distributions. We use an Investopedia article as a framework, clarify how MAGI impacts Roth eligibility, explain the October 15 correction deadline, and break down the two-prong test for tax-free Roth earnings withdrawals, including how the five-year rule is measured across tax years. Jim's “Pithy” SummaryChris and I kick off the first EDU show of 2026 by taking an Investopedia piece called “11 Mistakes to Avoid with Your Roth IRA” and using it as our launchpad. We're not reading the article to you—we're breaking down what they got right, what they explained too loosely, and what they left out that changes the meaning. We start with the basics that still trip people up: you need earned income to contribute, and a lot of income that feels “earned” (like dividends, interest, rental income, or IRA distributions) doesn't count. Then we pivot to the opposite problem: earning too much and accidentally making an ineligible Roth contribution because your MAGI crossed the line, often after a late bonus or surprise taxable payout. We get into a category of mistakes that can create problems with the IRS: excess contributions. We walk through how easy it is to overfund a Roth when you have multiple accounts, and why the correction rules matter more than most people realize. We talk about the October 15 deadline, how the custodian won't stop you, and why “removing the excess” isn't always the same as removing what you deposited. We also get into the weird but real quirk where, if you miss the correction deadline, you may only need to remove the excess contribution itself, not the growth tied to it. We also dig into the qualified distribution rules for Roth earnings, because this is where the five-year rule gets misunderstood. The Roth has to be five tax years old, and you need a qualifying condition—59½ is one, but it's not the only one. That's where the article oversimplifies, and where people make avoidable mistakes when taking earnings out too early. Show Notes: Article – 11 Mistakes to Avoid With Your Roth IRA The post Roth IRA Mistakes: EDU #2601 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 278 The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 278 Epiphany, New Beginnings, and Looking Ahead Welcome to Episode 278 of The Thinklings Podcast! In this episode, the Thinklings mark Epiphany (January 6)—the close of the Twelve Days of Christmas—with a thoughtful and forward-looking conversation. Alongside seasonal reflection, the Thinklings also talk about goals for 2026, considering how intention, wisdom, and faith shape the year ahead. Thanks for tuning in to this week's conversation!

In this episode, Christmas legend is separated from biblical truth. Were the visitors to Jesus really kings? Or were they Magi, astrologers, or something else entirely? Were there actually three of them or just three named gifts? Did they even come to the manger or years later? We'll explore what Scripture does and doesn't say about the Magi, the timing of their visit, the meaning of their gifts, and why Matthew highlights these mysterious Gentile seekers. Guest pastor and host tackle common misconceptions and discover how important this oft-misunderstood detail of Christ's nativity is.  The Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Buffalo, WY, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to talk about the wise men who visited Jesus, and separate truth from myth.  To learn more about Prince of Peace, visit princeofpeacebuffalo.org. This Advent series begins by covering the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, and then spends twelve episodes alternating between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, tracing God's promises from Isaiah to the birth of Christ. The series explores Emmanuel's promise, the Davidic King, John the Baptist as forerunner, and reaches its climax with the Nativity. The final episodes examine the Suffering Servant, the shadow of the cross in Christ's infancy, Isaiah's Messianic mission statement, and John's declaration that "the Word became flesh."  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

When writing teacher Peter Turchi sees a map, he looks for the adventure it holds. “To ask for a map,” he says, “is to say, ‘Tell me a story.’ ” I seized on that idea when preparing to teach a Sunday school class during Christmas on the “Faith of the Wise Men.” As I studied maps, I learned the Magi traveled some nine hundred miles—perhaps over several months—to find the Christ child, finally finding not a babe in a manger but a toddler living with His parents in a house. Their reaction after such a long trip? “They bowed down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11). Their journey invited my students and me to plan with intention to seek Christ more fully. As Scripture tells us, when the Magi finally arrived in Jerusalem, their urgent question was: “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” (v. 2). Distance didn’t deter their worship. Nor did danger or delays. Herod’s deadly demand was ironic: “Go and search carefully for the child” (v. 8). Nobody had searched more carefully for Jesus than the Magi. We can heed the example of the wise men by seeking Christ carefully, too. Then, as we worship Him, we can expect our heavenly Father to speak to our hearts, leading us from old ways to new paths to journey with Him.

In Week Six, the final episode of our Advent–Epiphany series, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany and reflect on Saint Joseph as the first adorer of Christ.Using Matthew 2:1–12, we explore the visit of the Magi—not with all the answers, but with curiosity, imagination, and wonder. Did they know who they were looking for? Did they bring the “right” gifts on purpose? And what does that mean for how we show up before Jesus today?This conversation moves gently into:Why presence is often the greatest gift we can offer GodHow Adoration doesn't require expertise—just honestyWhat to do when prayer feels boring, intimidating, or out of reachThe role of poverty, humility, boundaries, and community in the spiritual lifeWhy God uses our natural gifts, personalities, and even our emptinessWe also share practical encouragement for anyone new to adoration or feeling stuck in their faith: start small, stay curious, and let God meet you where you are............

Send us a textWhat if the new year didn't begin with pressure, but with looking for light?In this Epiphany episode, Amy Wicks invites you to begin the year not with goals or resolutions, but with revelation, a light appearing in the dark.Drawing from the Christian calendar, the story of the Magi, and James 1, Amy shares how a dark night of the soul and a season of spiritual warfare reframed her understanding of joy, not as circumstantial happiness, but as a forming, steadying gift rooted in Scripture.This episode explores:What Epiphany teaches us about God's guidance before clarityWhy a “word for the year” is best lived out grounded in the Word of GodHow curiosity, attention, and belovedness matter in seeking a word for the yearThe beginning of Wholehearted Storywork in 2026, a rhythm of understanding your story with compassionAnd a brief guided Epiphany practice.In addition, this conversation sets the direction for the first of four special mini-episodes this week, exploring rhythms of worship, writing, and wisdom to help you understand your story and begin a new chapter with courage and hope.Grab your gift for the new year: The Wholehearted Abundance Journalhttps://www.simplywholehearted.com/thejourneytowholeheartedabundanceRESOURCES FOR YOU: Book a High-Value Clarity Call with Amy Wicks https://www.simplywholehearted.com/callamywicks Not sure about your Enneagram Type? Start here: https://www.simplywholehearted.com/enneagramquiz Wholehearted Enneagram Coachinghttps://bit.ly/SWcoachingcollectiveEnnea-what? The Beginners Guide to the Enneagram(free course + printables)https://bit.ly/Enneagram101GuideThe Real History of the Enneagram Course(use code AMY for 40% OFF)https://bit.ly/EnneagramHistoryShould Christians Use the Enneagram? (Amy's book)https://amzn.to/3VB9PrxConnect with Amy:IGWebsite

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260106dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:11 Extraordinarily Ordinary If you say, “yesterday was an extraordinary day,” you mean that something incredible happened. But if you say, “yesterday was an extra ordinary day,” you mean that it was even more normal and boring than usual. Just making one word into two gives the sentence an entirely opposite meaning. Extraordinary events surrounded the Magi’s visit to Bethlehem. But there were also a few extra ordinary things they discovered on their journey. An ancient prophecy and an extraordinary star led them to an extra ordinary little town called Bethlehem. The star stopped above what was probably an extra ordinary home. Inside, they found an extra ordinary looking Jewish couple with an ordinary-looking baby. But the Magi saw past the child’s ordinary surroundings. They saw their Savior, who was going to give them a gift far more precious than the gold, frankincense, and myrrh they had just laid at his feet. That baby would give the gift of sins forgiven and eternal life. The wise men didn’t need to see a king in a palace surrounded by servants. They’d likely seen plenty of kings like that in their lifetimes. The Magi needed to see their Savior. That’s exactly what God led them to see. It’s human nature to think we need more than what God has given. Maybe you’ve felt that attitude creep around in your heart. What God provides you in his Word might not seem like enough. You want him to do more for you. You want him to communicate more extraordinarily with you. But God chooses to use some extra ordinary looking ways to bring his good news to you. In the ordinary pages of the Bible, we see the Savior who proves his eternal kingship with a resurrection from the dead. In baptism, we see ordinary water poured out on a person’s head, marking them as an adopted child of God. In Holy Communion, we see ordinary bread and wine that, when the Word is spoken, have the power to forgive even the darkest sins. The means by which God extends his love to you look like ordinary things, but they work extraordinary results. Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for giving me the extraordinary message of Jesus in ordinary ways every day. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Epiphany (“manifestation”) of the Son of God to the world begs belief from each one of us, by which, like the Magi, we will be led home “by another way” [and not rely on worldly ways] – but rather follow the way of Jesus Christ, Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). Join us for Open Line Tuesday with Fr. Wade Menezes.

Once again, host Robin Linkhart leads a meditation session encouraging listeners to connect with the divine amidst life's challenges. This session emphasizes the importance of noticing subtle signs of wisdom and meaning, as exemplified by the Magi's journey to find a sacred light in a humble setting. Here, you'll be invited to reflect on your own "star," the guiding force in your life, and to trust curiosity and movement rather than certainty.  Listen to more episodes in the Awaken to God's Presence series. Download the Transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey. NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, January 6, on the thirteenth day of Christmas, in many countries and dioceses, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated, the manifestation and revelation of the Lord as the light of the nations and the affirmation of our universal salvation.The three Kings — the Magi — come from the East to adore and offer Him gifts.The Epiphany symbolizes our religious journey, following and finding Him in the Eucharist. In our earthly pilgrimage, we try to remove the many attachments in our hearts.St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians 3:2-3; 5-6, addresses the Gentile converts from Rome and reminds us of our great privilege of being called to the Christian faith. We are now God's new Chosen People; we are now members of Christ's mystical body.Christmas brings us a new light. Christ begins to enlighten and bless the world, and we share the Church's confidence and her liturgy.Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠January 6, 2026, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Daniel, The King of the Magi by Fr. Josh Waltz

Hour 3 for 1/5/26 Drew opens the show covering Padre Pio's words about an unfaithful spouse (1:00). Then, Sleep Doctor Dr. Lou Tartaglia covers the recent phenomenon of 'sleep divorce' (14:43). Topics: sleep tracking (24:41), the psychology of sleep (26:28), prayer (27:21), snoring (29:20), sleep aids (31:21), causes of insomnia (40:35), and Last Gift of the Magi (43:25). Link: https://toledoclinic.com/doctor/louis-a-tartaglia/ https://tartaglia.com/

This holiday episode finds hosts John Viola, Patrick O' Boyle, Dr. Marcella Martin welcoming "La Befana" for a funny, warm conversation about the Epiphany gift-giver and Italian holiday traditions. The banter centers on coal, "naughty lists," and the idea that Befana—not Santa—was historically the one who brought gifts in many Italian homes. Befana explains her roots in older seasonal and pagan imagery—sweeping out the old year and welcoming renewal—later blended with the Christian Epiphany story of the Magi on January 6. John and the gang touch on the liturgical calendar, modest stocking traditions of tangerines, sweets, and "sugar coal," and the Italian notion of bella figura as respect and preparedness rather than mere fashion. The episode turns hands-on as Befana makes pasta, shares regional lore from Puglia and Sardinia, and swaps gifts with the hosts. It closes with a call for Italian Americans to keep their language and traditions alive through family rituals, children's activities, and community—using Befana as a joyful way to carry culture forward.   HOSTS: John Viola Patrick O'Boyle Dr. Marcella Martin   SPECIAL GUEST: La Befana (Viviana Altieri)   PRODUCED BY: Nicholas Calvello-Macchia

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO to this reflectionMatthew 2: 1-12The Magi Visit the Messiah2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] 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.'[b]”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.

Bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the Magi inspire us to consider what we will offer to the Lord. (Lectionary #20) January 3, 2026 - St. William Catholic Church - Foxboro, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Read OnlineWhen Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:1–3Why did God use a star to reveal the birth of the King of Kings to foreigners from the East? To Mary, Joseph, and even the shepherds, God sent an angel to announce the Good News. But to the Magi, He chose to use a medium they understood—a star.The Magi, originally a priestly caste from Persia, were skilled in astrology, astronomy, dream interpretation, and other forms of wisdom and divination. The three Magi mentioned in Matthew's Gospel were clearly experts in astrology, carefully studying the night sky. On the night of Christ's birth, they made an extraordinary discovery: a new star had appeared in the sky. They knew it was a sign of great significance. According to their beliefs, the appearance of a new star heralded the birth of a new king.This star was not just a celestial phenomenon; it symbolized the light of Christ breaking into the world, guiding all nations—Jew and Gentile alike—toward the Savior. Just as God drew humble Jewish shepherds to the newborn King, He also drew representatives of the Gentiles to adore Him, for Jesus came to save all of humanity.The divine initiative to include the Gentiles was not a new concept but a fulfillment of a promise made to Abraham: “All the families of the earth will find blessing in you” (Genesis 12:3). The prophets and Psalms echo this theme, emphasizing that all nations will come to the Lord (see Isaiah 2:2-4; Psalm 67). In Jesus' public ministry, we see His outreach to the Gentiles, a mission that continued in the early Church, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. At the time of Jesus' birth, however, the Jewish emphasis was primarily on being the chosen people. The story of the Epiphany reveals God's universal call to holiness from the very beginning of Jesus' life, establishing that His mission was for all people, not just for Israel.Because of this universal call to holiness, we who believe in Christ and live our Catholic faith must avoid becoming isolated or insular, creating a small, self-contained world. Instead, we are called to live our faith in a way that is welcoming to all and engaged with the broader world, reflecting the universal mission of the Church. Being Catholic is not merely a cultural heritage; it is the spiritual means of eternal salvation that everyone needs. The word “epiphany” means “manifestation,” and Christ must be made manifest to all, becoming the King of every soul.As we celebrate the Epiphany, be open to the ways God might want to use you to share the light of faith with those who are not yet faithful Catholics. We must be like the star of Bethlehem, drawing others to Christ in ways they can understand and accept. This is best accomplished when we place ourselves at God's service, ready to be used as instruments of His grace. God alone knows how to draw all people to Himself, and when we offer ourselves to His service, He will inspire us and use us to be that shining light, guiding others out of darkness and into His marvelous light. My Lord and Light of the World, You desire to shine brightly for all to see, so that all may be drawn to You, the one and only Savior of all. Please use me as You will, to be like that star over Bethlehem. Give me wisdom, love, and courage to shine brightly, radiating Your light for all to see. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Sailko, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

The Magi follow the light of a star to reach Bethlehem and worship Christ.  We too must be aware of the lights that God sends us to bring us closer to Jesus.  These lights vary in nature and appearance.  To be constant in following the light that is Christ, we also need to be aware of other lights that could lead us away from Him. To contact us, please write to comeawaybyyourselves@gmail.com.  Please rate and review Come Away by Yourselves wherever you listen to podcasts. 

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/02/26), Hank brings up the Legacy Reading Plan, an innovative guide for reading through the Bible each year, so you can gain a better understanding of God's Word.Hank also answers the following questions:If the Magi followed the star in the East, wouldn't that have taken them in the wrong direction? David - Columbus, IN (2:06)What are your thoughts on the ministry of Michael Rozell and Refuge Ranch? Why don't we see the signs described in Mark 16:17-18 today? Aaron - Hendersonville, TN (4:25)My pastor is starting a series based on the book Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman. Do you know anything about this? Bob - Atlanta, GA (6:50)My family seems to be against me since my divorce. Is this caused by the devil, or am I just depressed about the divorce during this time of year? Ronell - Nashville, TN (15:38)Since God is omniscient, didn't He know that Adam was going to sin before He created him? Did He know He would have to die to redeem us before He created Adam? Jason - St. Louis, MO (18:11)Is Jesus waiting to return so that sin will run its course and be destroyed before His second coming? Jason - St. Louis, MO (20:04)Is there any biblical evidence for cessationism? Charles - Lincoln, NE (21:34)What about those today who claim to perform miracles, but their preaching is heretical? Charles - Lincoln, NE (24:12)

Magi, masters of alchemy and astronomy, notice an anomaly in the constellations. Their curiosity leads them to the scriptures, where they become convinced God has done something miraculous.Today's Bible verse is Matthew 2:2, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Magi weren't reading Daniel. They weren't studying the prophets. They were reading the sky.In our Members-Only Part 2 of our Christmas deep dive into the Star of Bethlehem, Caleb Jones returns to answer the question everyone's been asking: Why did the Magi know to come? What did they actually see in that chart that made them pack up and travel for months?Using ancient sources—Ptolemy, Manilius, Vettius Valens—Caleb reconstructs what an astrological reading of August 12, 3 BC would have looked like. The verdict? A heaven-blessed birth in Palestine. Incredible fortune. Warfare and a sword in his future. Someone who would overcome great danger through Jupiter and Venus.But this episode goes deeper than astronomy. Caleb traces how the Bible itself addresses astrology—not as fake, but as a rival way of knowing that God told Israel not to pursue because He would speak to them directly. When Israel rebelled and looked to the stars anyway, God wove their disobedience into His plan: He would use pagan astrologers to announce His Son and shame His people who should have known better.From Deuteronomy to Isaiah to Romans, the threads converge. The Magi weren't reading Daniel. They were reading the sky. And God met them there.The Christmas story is stranger than you thought. Not a member yet? Right now, we are running our biggest sale of the year with 20% OFF all memberships until the end of the year. Head over to https://blurrycreatures.com/pages/members to check it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Christmas and happy holidays! This week Ross Douthat shares one of his favorite poems for the occasion, “The Journey of the Magi,” written by T.S. Eliot, to reflect on a year one might call “interesting.” See you next year! Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

As a gift to listeners, I read O. Henry’s classic "The Gift of the Magi"—a timeless reminder of what really matters most for our happiness during the holidays. Resources & links related to this episode: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry (Amazon, Bookshop) I read "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens (Amazon, Bookshop) I read "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Andersen (Amazon, Bookshop) Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.