This is Epiphany Sunday, celebrating the visit of the magi to the Christ child. When their visit was finished, scriptures tell us the magi returned to their place of origin "by another road." Hear how most encounters with Jesus result in traveling "by another road."

Traditionally on the Sunday after Christmas, instead of having a Children's Moment and then preaching a separate sermon, Michael gathers the children in the chancel area and reads a story he has written that is appropriate for the scripture and the season. Today's story involves the origin of the nativity scene and a young man named Francis in the city of Assisi.

Samuel is just a boy, and he mistakes the call from God for the voice of the old priest Eli. It is Eli who tells him how to answer. How do we answer when we hear the voice of God calling, and how do we tell that it's really God?

We are never too young (or to old for that matter) to do what God calls us to do. It is never too early or too late to join in God's dream for all people and all creation.