Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany

The Covenant: Promise of Past, Present, and Future

During the Advent season of 2025, we have been exploring the lineage of Jesus through scriptures and symbols as shared in the book The Advent Tree; Meeting Jesus in God's Big Story by Kara Eidson. The author again and again emphasizes that this story of God is not one of just the past. It is a story God continues to write, and one that will reach far into the future.

From Christmas to Epiphany (January 6th), we will post the symbols Kara Eidson shares for each day along with a mini devotion to go along with them. May this page  help to bring you closer to renewing your covenant to God.

January 6 (Epiphany) - Magi Visit Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 2:7-15
Symbol: Star

"...and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.” (Matthew 2:9b-10)

Have you looked at the night sky recently?
Although I live in a city, I'm still able to see stars when I look up. I can even make out a few constellations I remember the names to. The amazing thing to me is that those same stars have guided travelers through the nights for thousands of years. Who knows? Maybe one of the stars we see now, guided those magi so long ago. What I do know is that like a star, God will be there to light the way if we would just look up.

To finish this series of devotions, I want to share a pilgrimage song found in the Psalms. May it bring you comfort as we journey together through the new year.

I raise my eyes toward the mountains.
    Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the maker of heaven and earth.
God won’t let your foot slip.
    Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job.
No! Israel’s protector
    never sleeps or rests!
The Lord is your protector;
    the Lord is your shade right beside you.
The sun won’t strike you during the day;
    neither will the moon at night.
The Lord will protect you from all evil;
    God will protect your very life.
The Lord will protect you on your journeys—
    whether going or coming—
    from now until forever from now.
(Psalm 121)

God, your presence is a star shining in the night. You illuminate the path before us. Help us to trust in your guidance to lead us through our days from now until forever from now. Amen.

January 5 - Journey of the Magi

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-6
Symbol: Camel

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” (Matthew 2:2)

We’ve reached the Twelfth Day of Christmas, with tomorrow being Epiphany. Last year, I watched a documentary about what Christmas was like during the Middle Ages in England. In it, the presenters showed about daily chores, foods prepared, and what made this time different from the rest of the year. What I found most interesting was the importance placed on today.

 It was the culmination of the season so the biggest meal and party would be tonight. Everyone would be there with the celebration lasting into the following day. Often, the servants would play the masters, and vice versa. They might even crown a “king”. It would be an evening of revelry and fun. Then after Epiphany,  things would go back to the way they were before.

Jesus came and lifted the lowly while humbling the haughty. He turns the status quo upside down. That is what the twelfth night is about, and it’s a cause for celebration.

God, you lift the downtrodden, heal the sick, feed the hungry, provide rest for the weary, and more to right the wrongs of this world. This year, may we take on these tasks in your name. Amen.

January 4 - Love

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40
Symbol: Heart

And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39)

What really can be said about today’s topic that hasn’t already been said? I mean it has been the subject of countless stories and songs throughout the years. And yet, we still need to be reminded every day to be willing to love and be loved in return.

Love God.
Love people.
It really is that simple.

Who do you know that could benefit from hearing they are loved today? Why not share that message?

God, we are called to love. So easy to say, but often hard to do. May we be your messengers, quick to offer a loving word or deed. Amen.

January 3 - Grafted into the Family Tree

Scripture: Romans 15:7-13
Symbol: Budding branch

So welcome each other, in the same way that Christ also welcomed you, for God’s glory. (Romans 15:7)

As humans, we have a tendency to want to make things simple to understand. We use categories and labels to make a technicolor world (or issue) black and white. We even put other people in convenient boxes. It starts as soon as we meet someone new. What are they wearing? How do they talk? How do they hold themselves? That’s before we even say hello.

How would things be if we just welcomed them?
How about if as you learn more about them you still accept them? 

Christ welcomes you.
He showed you first how to be welcoming. Now, practice the lesson until it becomes second nature, and in doing so, God will be glorified.

God, help us to accept each other as you have already accepted each of us. Amen.

January 2 - Adopted into the Family

Scripture: Romans 8:12-17
Symbol: Two handprints

I like reading books that deal with “found families”. For those who may not know, this is when the protagonist usually starts the book alone and over the course of the story manages to build familial-like bonds with the characters around them (think of older people filling a grandparent/elder role and so on). They are rarely related by blood, but end up bonded just as strongly. What I love about these stories is that it shows us that family is more about the love we have for each other than any shared DNA.

Who do you consider family?

God, help us to build a world where everyone feels a part of your family. May we see each other as beloved sisters and brothers in Christ. Amen.

January 1 - Grafted Branches

Scripture: Romans 11:13-24
Symbol: Olive branch

Have you ever seen depictions of the “tree of life”. It is often shown as having a solid trunk with an expansive canopy sometimes sheltering birds and other creatures. It also typically shows its root system so that the overall silhouette is circular in nature. We hardly ever see the roots of a tree, but any gardener can tell you just how important they are. Without healthy roots, a plant will eventually die.

We are similar. Without a healthy relationship with God, we will suffer. We won’t be able to withstand the hardships of life. Spend time with God. Let them provide everything you need for your roots to spread and grow strong.

God, you are the great gardener. Help us tend the soil of our souls so we can truly flourish and bear good spiritual fruit. Amen.

December 31 - The Shema

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-8
Symbol: Shema ("hear" or "listen") written in Hebrew

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Listen.
Do you hear it among the party poppers, noise makers, music, fireworks, etc. of tonight?
Can you hear God's voice calling out?

Child of my heart,
Listen and remember.
You are precious.
You are wonderfully made.
You are worthy.
You are mine.
I love you.
-God

God, we know love because you first loved us. Through you we have been shown what unconditional love can do; break the chains of that bind us. When we hear this, how can we not respond by loving you back with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

December 30 - Anna

Scripture: Luke 2:36-40
Symbol: Scroll

I have found as I age that if I really want to remember something I have to write it down. By putting thought to paper I have created a physical reminder that I can touch and see. What I write down can be a single word like "bread", or a simple phrase like "send a thank you". I have also written down quotes or Bible verses that spoke to me. Regardless of what I write, I know that it was important enough for me to take the time needed for this simple task.

For the longest time of human history though, writing was not exactly a simple thing. Quality paper was laborious to make and thus expensive. Plus clay or stone tablets required a hammer and chisel and were heavy. The act of teaching someone to read was also not widely spread so only the rich or powerful could read. What this led to was that only the truly important information was written down. To the Jewish faith that included the Torah, and for Christians, the Bible as we know it today. The message of God's mercy and love is so important that we have continued to write it down to this day thousands of years later.

When was the last time you physically wrote something? What importance to you did this message hold? Write down a favorite verse from scripture, and hang it somewhere that will be a constant reminder for you of God's love.

God, may I write of your great and glorious deeds each day of my life until they are indelibly etched on my soul. Amen.

December 29 - Simeon

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35
Symbol: Candle

The image of a light shining in the darkness is a powerful one. We as humans instinctively shun the dark because it obscures our vision. It hides things from our perception leading us to imagining the worst and fearing the unknown. That’s where Jesus comes in. Simeon speaks of it in today’s scripture reading.

You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples. It’s a light for revelation to the Gentiles and a glory for your people Israel. (Luke 2:31-32)

Jesus was born to shine light into our darkness. He is a candle revealing the truth of God’s mercy and love. He came to show us that when we walk with God we have nothing to fear.

God, your angels tell us to “Fear not” repeatedly in scripture. Open our minds to let this message fully sink in; that when we trust in you we can live free of fears and worries. For you are our light in the darkness. Amen.

December 28 - Jesus Presented at the Temple

Scripture: Luke 2:22-24
Symbol: Turtle Doves

Today’s symbol brings to mind the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. I think it was the first time I had ever heard of turtle doves, and I couldn’t wrap my head around what kind of animal it could be. I grew up and learned they were simple birds (not turtles with wings unfortunately).

Their use in the song in some circles has come to symbolize the Old and New Testaments. They can also be seen as symbols of love and peace. Or in the case of today’s reading, as the sacrifices that were given to the temple when Jesus was presented as an infant. Now, we may not present living sacrifices to God anymore, but we are still expected to offer up something: our time, our gifts, etc.

What will you freely and faithfully offer to God today?

God, it is easy to go through life thinking of myself above all else. Help me to put you first, and may I willingly give what I can to share your love and grace with the world . Amen.

December 27 - Preparing the Way

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8
Symbol: Shell

Look, I am sending my messenger before you.
He will prepare your way,
a voice shouting in the wilderness:
        “Prepare the way for the Lord;
        make his paths straight.” (Mark 1:2b-3)

I don’t know about you, but as we come closer to the end of 2025, I become more introspective. I remember fondly the good things that have happened like trips and family celebrations. I grieve over losses. I take stock of my past actions and ask myself, “What have I learned? How can I be better?”

Now, I’m not a firm believer in New Year resolutions, but I do like what they represent; a chance to forgive ourselves for the things we’ve gotten wrong and work towards making them right. Sounds a little like baptism, right? Through baptism we make a covenant that we will live in a way pleasing to God. We also recognize that when we err, we can seek forgiveness and be cleansed and forgiven.

The next time you bathe or wash your hands, take a moment to share with God the things you wish to be forgiven for. Through the physical cleansing of your  body, know that God is cleansing your soul at the same time.

God, help us remember what we have been baptized for; to be your people working to create your kingdom here on earth.  May we pave the way to a better and brighter future for all of your creation. Amen.

December 26 - Birth of John the Baptist

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80
Symbol: Sunrise

Because of the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)

We are now close to a week past the winter solstice. What this means is that we have made it through the longest night of the year, and going forward, we will have more light in our world. How appropriate then to be reminded in today’s lesson that regardless of the perceived darkness we go through, that God continues to grace us with a dawning light. It is a light that shines like a sunrise.

If you have ever looked at a weather report or a weather app, they give exact times for both sunrise and sunset. Yet, the sun doesn’t just pop up at say 7:07am. Instead, it is a slow process. The sun creeps over the horizon, gilds trees and buildings in a glow, and eventually rises high enough to sit in the heavens illuminating the earth. And like a sunrise, the hope, peace, joy, and love that God brings washes over and reaches every dark corner of our world.

God, may we be reminded with each sunrise that you will never leave or forsake us, and that you light our world with your love. Amen.

Christmas Day - The Word

Scripture: John 1:1-18
Symbol: Logos, Greek for "word"

We start this Christmas reading one of the most famous scripture passages:

"In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

Read that again. Now, take a breath. Center yourself, and read it once more.
Did you notice any difference each time you read it? If so, what changed?

The Word of God can be revealed to us in different ways. Yes, we have the written and spoken word, but I would argue God also speaks to us through our other senses. How many times has a scent or meal brought to mind other events or memories? God speaks to us. God's Word is ever present.

God, as we experience our Christmas traditions, or make new ones, may we intentionally invite you into our hearts and minds so that we may be blessed by your Word today. Amen.