Today, we conclude our worship series, “Words for the Beginning.” It’s a series that’s led us through Advent and Christmas, giving us reminders like, “Hope is worth the risk,” “Love knows your name,” “We can’t go alone,” and “Do the good that is yours to do.” These words have been like steady ground as we walk forward into the unknown of the future.

At first glance, they seem like words we would teach our children. But in reality, they’re lessons that we continue to learn and relearn as adults—they seem deceptively simple, but put into practice, they are lifelong ventures.

Today, as we begin a new year, the timeless story of the Magi reminds us that the road isn’t straight.