On January 6, Christians across the globe will celebrate Epiphany, a day to reflect on the meaning of the Star of Bethlehem and the Magi it led to share gifts with the newborn Jesus. Unfortunately, we in the US have so blended the story of Epiphany with the birth celebration of Christmas that we’ve lost the full message and symbolism of the star and the gifts. While many of us will hear the story of Epiphany this coming Sunday, the on-going impact of the story too often 
gets lost in the rush of the new year.
My first experience of celebrating Epiphany as a standalone holy day came in January 1995 when studying in Switzerland. I arrived in Zurich on January 3 as people everywhere prepared for Epiphany like we do for Christmas. On the 6th I was invited to the home of friends. After the meal when the Jesus cake* was cut and served, my piece contained the baby Jesus figurine, the ultimate gift of Epiphany—God gifting Jesus to the world. I have no doubt, my hostess gifted it to me.
Two decades later at a workshop on women’s spiritual growth I was leading at the First United Methodist Church in a community in West Texas, eighty-year-old Ruby, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, raised her hand after we’d talked about bringing our gifts to God. “I don’t really have any gifts to share with God. All I’ve done is keep children at my house so their mothers could work.” I had to collect myself before I could sputter out something like, “Ruby, that’s the greatest gift you could possibly offer. Children held the highest place in Jesus’ heart, (“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God (Matt: 18:2).” "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt: 18:10).)
Ruby’s story reminds me of the Christmas story, “The Littlest Angel.” When God asked the angels to bring presents to celebrate the newborn Jesus, the “Littlest Angel” brought the only thing he had, a wooden box from his earthly life containing two stones, a butterfly, a robin’s egg, and an old dog collar -- his prized possessions. When the angels gathered, and seeing their magnificent gifts of beautiful music and fine things, the boy fled sobbing in hot shame, thinking his gift didn’t measure up. But God favored the box among all the gifts and fashioned it into the Christmas star. For the little angel had given Jesus items that he had treasured—earthly things that the boy Jesus would want and enjoy from the earth that God had created.
It’s easy, like the littlest angel and Ruby, to downplay or overlook a gift we have to offer. “Maybe it’s just what I do; nothing special.” “Maybe it’s not good enough.” “Maybe I’ll be ridiculed.” “Maybe I’m not skilled enough.” “Maybe what I have to offer isn’t very fine.” “Maybe I’m not aware that my talents, interests, and abilities are gifts to share.”
In his book If You Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg writes that “unrealized potential is the tragedy of the unopened gift.” This is tough to hear. Yet, as Christians, we are told that our gifts are from God, given with purpose, and we are expected to use them to serve and bless others, glorify God, and build up our church and community.
As you move into 2026, I ask you to open the gift of your unrealized potential—gifts that remain unrecognized, unexplored, and/or unused and use them. For if God saw fit for you to have them, they are worthy of being opened and gifted to others.
Have a joyful and fruitful 2026!
-- Karen Kaigler-Walker
Horizon Texas Conference Spiritual Growth & Soul Care Coordinator
*Jesus cake is a traditional dessert in which a small Jesus figure is baked in the cake and served at Epiphany. The person who finds it in their slice receives a special blessing for the upcoming year.
