Series Overview

Epiphany is a celebration of the light that was revealed to the world. That joyous recognition reminds us of the gift that Incarnation made known to us and to all creation. So, the questions for Ordinary Time, or the season that follows Epiphany, are, “So what? What does that light do for us and to us? What do we do because that light has been revealed to us?” We invite congregations to embrace the gift of light that is Jesus the Christ and to do an attitude check as we stand in the promise of glory revealed.

Children's Message

Date: January 4, 2026

Scripture:

Isaiah 60:1–6, New International Reader's Version

Zion Will Be Glorious

60 “People of Jerusalem, get up.
Shine, because your light has come.
The glory of the Lord will shine on you.
² Darkness covers the earth.
Thick darkness spreads over the nations.
But I will rise and shine on you.
My glory will appear over you.
³ Nations will come to your light.
Kings will come to the brightness of your new day.
⁴ “Look up. Look all around you.
All your people are getting together to come back to you.
Your sons will come from far away.
Your daughters will be carried on the hip like little children.
⁵ Then your face will glow with joy.
Your heart will beat fast because you are so happy.
Wealth from across the ocean will be brought to you.
The riches of the nations will come to you.
⁶ Herds of young camels will cover your land.
They will come from Midian and Ephah.
They will also come from Sheba.
They’ll carry gold and incense.
And people will shout praises to me.

Matthew 2:1–12, New International Reader's Version

The Wise Men Visit Jesus

2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. This happened while Herod was king of Judea. After Jesus’ birth, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. 2 They asked, “Where is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose. Now we have come to worship him.”
³ When King Herod heard about it, he was very upset. Everyone in Jerusalem was troubled too.
⁴ So Herod called together all the chief priests of the people. He also called the teachers of the law. He asked them where the Messiah was going to be born.
⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied. “This is what the prophet has written. He said,
⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are certainly not the least important among the towns of Judah.
A ruler will come out of you.
He will rule my people Israel like a shepherd.’” (Micah 5:2)
⁷ Then Herod secretly called for the Wise Men. He found out from them exactly when the star had appeared.
⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem. He said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report it to me. Then I can go and worship him too.”
⁹ After the Wise Men had listened to the king, they went on their way. The star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them. It finally stopped over the place where the child was.
¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.
¹¹ The Wise Men went to the house. There they saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh.
¹² But God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they returned to their country on a different road.

Object:

Flashlight

Message:

Good morning, friends. I’m so glad you’re here today. Let’s start by imagining together. Imagine you’re lying in your cozy bed at night. The room is dark, and everything is very still and quiet. You might even wiggle your toes under your blanket to feel safe and warm. And then, look up here.

(Hold up a flashlight and turn it on.)

Suddenly, a little light appears. Even though it’s small, your eyes go straight to it, don’t they? Light is special like that. It helps us see things we couldn’t see before. It helps us feel safe when things seem dark. And it even helps us know where to go. Isn’t light amazing?

Now let’s imagine something even bigger and brighter. Imagine a star in the sky that is so beautiful, so sparkly, and so full of God’s glory that people far, far away stop everything they’re doing and stare at it. That’s what happened a long time ago. There were wise men who looked at the night sky every single night. They loved watching the stars. But on the night Jesus was born, they saw a star that was unlike anything they had ever seen.

They were probably so surprised that they rubbed their eyes and looked again, just to make sure they were seeing it right. Can you rub your eyes like the wise men might have? Let’s all pretend together. (Rub your eyes along with the children.)

I wonder how the wise men felt when that huge, bright star lit up the sky. Maybe they felt excited. Maybe they felt curious. Maybe they felt warm and happy inside because they knew God was doing something special.

(Shine the flashlight slowly across the floor.)

When the wise men saw the star, they started to follow it. They walked a long, long way. They climbed tall hills. They walked in hot sunshine and slept during cold nights. But they didn’t stop because the light kept leading them. Each step brought them closer and closer to Jesus. Jesus is the special light God sent into the world to guide everyone. We need to pay attention to where God is leading.

I wonder where you see Jesus’ light in your life. Maybe you feel it when someone gives you a hug. Maybe you feel it when a friend shares a toy or when someone helps you when you feel sad. Maybe you feel it when you’re trying something new that might feel a little scary, but you feel brave on the inside.

Just as the wise men followed the star, we can follow Jesus’ light too. Jesus’ light is all around us. Sometimes it shines through kindness. Sometimes it shines through love. Sometimes it shines through courage. Whenever we see something good, bright, and loving, we can remember that Jesus is with us.

I wonder how you might help someone else find Jesus’ light this week. Who can tell me one way to help someone find Jesus’ light? (Allow children to provide responses.) You might help someone by playing kindly, or helping, or saying something gentle and loving to someone who needs a friend.

Now let’s sing together to help us remember that God’s light doesn’t just shine around us—it shines in us. We all have a little light inside. You might know this song, “This Little Light of Mine.” Let’s sing it together. When we sing, “This little light of mine,” point to yourself. And when we sing, “I’m gonna let it shine,” point your hands outward to the world. Ready?

(Sing together with motions.)

Did you feel it? Do you feel your little light glowing inside you? God gives each of us a special light in our hearts, and we can let it shine wherever we go, when we’re at home, at school, at church, with friends, or anywhere we are.

Remember this as you go through your week: God’s light is always shining, even when things feel a little dark or confusing. Jesus is our brightest light. Every time you are kind or brave or loving, you are following God’s light and sharing it with others.

Let's pray together.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus, the light of the world. Help us follow his light every day. Help our little lights shine with love for everyone we meet. Amen.

Every Generation: Between the Sundays – Family Guide (Epiphany/Ordinary Time)

Theme: Shine God’s Light with Love

Ages: 5–7

Purpose: Families are invited to engage with the scripture story and the week’s theme in simple, meaningful ways. Activities include conversation starters, hands-on learning, reflective practices, and playful imagination. Each week reinforces the idea that Jesus is God’s light, and we are called to shine that light in the world.

Week 1 – Epiphany: Seeing the Light

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1–6; Matthew 2:1–12
Focal Point: Jesus is the light that guides us.

Family Conversation Starters

What would it be like to follow a star all the way to Jesus?
Can you remember when you felt guided or helped by someone?
How can we look for Jesus’ light in our home, school, or neighborhood?

Family Activities

Star Hunt: Hide paper stars around your home. Use a flashlight to “discover” them. Talk about how Jesus guides us like the star guided the wise men.
Light Drawing: Draw or paint a picture of a bright light in a dark place—like the star or Jesus’ light. Talk about what it feels like when light comes.

Reflective Practice

Each night before bed, name one way you saw Jesus’ light that day.
Share a small act of kindness you can do tomorrow to shine God’s light for someone else.

Week 2 – Baptism of the Lord: Power of Presence

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1–9; Matthew 3:13–17
Focal Point: God’s love shines on us and is always present.

Family Conversation Starters

How do you know that God loves you?
What does God’s light feel like inside your heart?
Whom can we remind this week that God loves them?

Family Activities

Water Blessing: Fill a small bowl with water. Dip your hands in it and say, “God loves me.” Let each family member do the same, then share hugs.
Presence Walk: Take a quiet walk and notice signs of God’s presence—birds, sunlight, flowers. Share what makes you feel God’s love.

Reflective Practice

At dinner, each person names a way God’s love showed up for them that day.
Practice holding your hand on your heart and silently saying, “God’s love shines on me.”

Week 3 – Second Sunday after Epiphany: Give You as a Light

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1–7
Focal Point: God gives us light to share with others.

Family Conversation Starters

What are some ways we can shine God’s light for our friends, family, or neighbors?
What makes your heart feel happy and bright like a light?
How do we know that even small acts of kindness matter?

Family Activities

Glowing Stars: Make paper stars or use reflective stickers. Put them somewhere visible at home. When light shines on them, remind one another, “God gives us light to share.”
Kindness Challenge: Each family member picks one kind thing to do for someone outside the family during the week. Share your stories at the next meal.

Reflective Practice

At bedtime, talk about one act of kindness you did or received.
Light a candle (with adult help) and remember that each kind action is like a spark of God’s light.

Week 4 – Third Sunday after Epiphany: Carrying the Light

Scripture: Psalm 27:1, 4–9
Focal Point: God’s light helps us feel brave and guides us.

Family Conversation Starters

When have you been scared and God’s light helped you feel brave?
How can we carry God’s light with us to school or the playground?
How does God’s light help you make good choices?

Family Activities

Lantern Walk: Take a walk in the evening with small lanterns or flashlights. Talk about how light can chase away darkness. Imagine carrying God’s light wherever you go.
Bravery Jar: Write down things that felt scary during the week. Each time you face fear bravely, add a star to the jar. Celebrate courage and God’s light together.

Reflective Practice

Before bed, name one thing you felt brave doing that day.
Pray together: “Thank You, God, for your light that helps us be brave.”

Week 5 – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany: What Is Good

Scripture: Micah 6:1–8
Focal Point: God’s light shows us what is good and how to live.

Family Conversation Starters

What does being fair look like in our home or at school?
How can we show kindness to someone who might feel left out?
What does “walking humbly with God” mean to you?

Family Activities

Good Deed Tree: Create a tree on paper or cardboard. Each time a family member does something fair, kind, or humble, add a leaf to the tree. Watch God’s light grow, as leaves fill the tree.
Role Play: Act out small scenarios where someone needs kindness or fairness, and practice how to respond in ways that shine God’s light.

Reflective Practice

Share one way God’s light guided you to do something good this week.
Encourage family members to spot one another’s “good deeds” and celebrate them.

Week 6 – Fifth Sunday after Epiphany: Call to Action

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1–9a
Focal Point: God’s light shines through helping others.

Family Conversation Starters

Who needs help this week? What can we do for them?
How does it feel when someone helps you?
What kind of light do you shine when you help someone?

Family Activities

Helping Basket: Create a small basket with simple items (snack, toy, socks). Deliver it to a neighbor, friend, or someone in need. Talk about how giving helps God’s light shine.
Share and Tell: During dinner, family members share how they helped someone during the week.

Reflective Practice

Pray together: “God, help us shine your light through our hands and hearts.”
Keep a “Kindness Calendar” to track acts of helping and caring.

Week 7 – Transfiguration Sunday: Glory Revealed

Scripture: Exodus 24:12–18; Matthew 17:1–9
Focal Point: Jesus is God’s brightest light, showing God’s glory, and we can shine it too.

Family Conversation Starters

What does Jesus’ shining face make you think of?
How can we reflect Jesus’ light in our home and school?
When have you seen God’s glory in the world?

Family Activities

Shiny Reflection: Use gold paper, foil, or shiny fabric. Have children reflect sunlight onto walls or paper while talking about Jesus’ light shining in the world.
Glow Sharing: Take turns naming ways family members reflected God’s love during the week. Celebrate each person’s light.

Reflective Practice

End the week with a “Shine Prayer”: “Jesus, help us shine your light so others can see your love.”
Consider doing a small act of light-sharing: making cards, calling someone, or giving a kind word.

Tips for Families

Keep it playful: Movement, art, and light-based activities help kids remember the story.
Engage all senses: Sight (lights), touch (water, fabric), sound (songs or humming), taste (snacks for sharing), and smell (candles, nature walks).
Reflect together: Conversations, prayers, and questions help integrate faith into daily life.
Keep it short and consistent: Ten to fifteen minutes of focused activity or reflection can make a big impact.