Epiphany 1 Children's Message

Matthew 2:1-12
Theme: A Discovery
Materials:  Picture of 3 Wise Men (on a Christmas card or a Christmas decoration)
Optional: small muffins with a nut or piece of hard candy hidden inside to give to the children     
 
If I were to tell you that I had “an epiphany”, what do you think it was?  (e.g. a special kind of toy, a game on my cell phone)  An epiphany is like a discovery.  It’s “I get it.” It’s like being able to read S-T-O-P for the first time on a sign.  It’s an “aha” moment.  It’s like solving a riddle.
 
Today I brought a candle (or card) that shows the Christmas story.  Let’s look at the pictures.  Who do you think traveled a long ways to make a discovery?  Who was the newborn baby who was to become a King?  (Yes, the Wise Men.)  What did they discover?  (Baby Jesus, the Son of God)  An “aha” moment.  This is the time in our church year when we remember this epiphany, that Jesus is the Son of God!
 
To help you celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord, I brought for each of you an Epiphany Muffin.  What might make this different than a regular muffin?  (There’s something inside for you to discover so you can have an “aha” moment).  Let’s see what we can find in this muffin.  (a piece of candy)
 
Prayer:  Lord, may we experience the thrill of knowing you are the Christ, the Savior, the King.  Thank you for coming to be with us.  Amen.
 
Author: Georgia Girvan (presented January 2000, January 2018)