Here are the complete resources for the first Sunday after Epiphany in our Jesus’ Birth from A to Z series.

Get the entire Advent-Epiphany Daily Devotion Book here: https://pbsipes.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/jesus-birth-a-to-z-devotion-books-2019-pdf.pdf

Weekly Reflective Coloring Page

Weekly Bible Story

The Escape to Egypt: Matthew 2:13-15 NRSV

¹³ Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” ¹⁴ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, ¹⁵ and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

The Massacre of the Infants: Matthew 2:16-18

¹⁶ When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. ¹⁷ Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

¹⁸ “A voice was heard in Ramah,
    wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
    she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

Daily Questions & Prayers

Sunday:  Matthew 2:13a

Joseph is dreaming again!  Have you been paying attention to your dreams this season?  What do they have to tell you?

Dear God, help me to listen to you, no matter how you choose to speak to me.  Amen.

Monday:  Matthew 2:13b

Have you ever had to get up and go without advance notice?  What was that experience like?

Dear Jesus, my time is not always your time.  Help me to follow your lead, even when it interrupts my plans.  Amen.

Tuesday:  Matthew 2:13c

What do you think it would have been like to unexpectedly have to move with a two-year-old for Mary and Joseph?  What would it be like for you?

Dear God, sometimes unexpected things happen to me.  When I am in the middle of something unexpected, help me to you that you are present with me.  Amen.

Wednesday:  Matthew 2:14

Have you ever traveled to a foreign country?  What was that experience like for you?  If you could travel somewhere, where would you go?

Dear God, today I pray for those who are traveling because of the threat of war or violence.  Keep them safe on their journey, and help them to know that they are always at home in you.  Amen.

Thursday:  Matthew 2:15

What would it have been like for Mary and Joseph to learn a new language, customs, and even cuisine?  What would it be like for you to do so?

Dear God, today I pray for those who live far from home.  Sustain them as they learn new things, and comfort them when they miss what is familiar.  Amen.

Friday:  Matthew 2:16

King Herod’s actions against the children in Bethlehem are similar to Pharaoh’s in Moses’ time.  Why do you think he chose to do this?  Where are there places in this world where something similar is happening, even today?

Dear Jesus, today I pray for all children in the world, in our country, and in my community whose lives are threatened by violence.  Help me to see this danger and act to bring peace.  Amen.

Saturday:  Matthew 2:17-18

Have you ever been so sad that you didn’t know if you would ever stop crying?  What was that experience like?  What do you think it would have been like to lose a child to violence?  How can you make a difference in the lives of those who are mourning loss?

(Pray in your own words for people you know who are sad, mourning, or in pain today.)