Show Notes
In this second week of Epiphany, we reflect on the sphere of manufacturing and lessons that can be drawn from the Magi bringing gifts to Jesus.
Nuance’s Formed for Formation is a weekly liturgy to encourage all of us to be faithful to Christ in the public square. Join Case Thorp as he follows the Church calendar through the reading of Scripture, prayer, and short reflections on faith in all facets of public life.
For more on being faithful in the public square, make sure to subscribe for Nuance’s bi-weekly interviews with Christian leaders as they discuss everything from policy making to difficult conversations across worldviews at work to Christian art-creation.
Nuance’s podcasts are presented by The Collaborative, which provides diverse Christian media and collaboration services to equip industry/sector Christian leaders for effective contribution to the common good.
Learn more about The Collaborative:
Website: https://collaborativeorlando.com/
Get to know Case: https://collaborativeorlando.com/team/
Episode Transcript
As we continue in the season of Epiphany, we are reminded of the transformative power of Christ’s grace. The doctrine of regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing new life to those who believe. As we reflect on Jesus’ baptism, we celebrate the cleansing and renewal that He offers, and we seek to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
A reading from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2, verses 1-12:
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2 tells the story of the Magi who traveled great distances guided by a star to honor Jesus. From this passage, we can draw lessons on the world of manufacturing, making things, productivity that makes the things we touch, use, and that radically change our day-to-day living. Manufacturing is a field that demands precision, planning, and innovation.
But it’s also a space where purpose can sometimes get lost in the grind of efficiency and output. The Magi remind us to center our work on something greater than ourselves, on glorifying God and serving others. When the Magi presented their gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they gave offerings that were thoughtful and sacrificial. These gifts symbolized value, worship, and sacrifice.
In manufacturing, every product we create and every decision we make can be an offering to God if approached with intentionality and excellence. The process of shaping raw materials into something useful mirrors how God shapes us in our work. By crafting with care, ensuring quality and respecting both our resources and our workforce, we honor the Creator who has given us the ability to create. Like the Magi, our work becomes a gift when we approach it with a mindset of worship. The Magi obey divine guidance, choosing a different route to return home. Their willingness to adopt, their willingness, their willingness to adapt teaches us that faithful work requires responsiveness to God’s leading.
In manufacturing, flexibility and innovation are critical to staying relevant and effective. But these qualities are also spiritual disciplines, being open to God’s direction, even when it leads us to unexpected paths. As we navigate changes in the industry, challenges in supply chains or shifts in team dynamics, we trust that God is guiding us toward outcomes that serve his purposes. Like the Magi, we leave the presence of Christ transformed, ready to work in ways that reflect His light in the world.
A reading from Isaiah 60:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
“Lift up your eyes and look about you:
All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters are carried on the hip.
Then you will look and be radiant,
your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
to you the riches of the nations will come.
Herds of camels will cover your land,
young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
bearing gold and incense
and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you with grateful hearts, acknowledging that all creativity and wisdom and all innovation come from you. You are the ultimate creator, shaping the heavens and the earth with purpose and precision. We thank you for the opportunity to reflect your image through the work of our hands.
Lord, guide us as we transform some of us, raw materials into products that serve others. Help us all to approach our tasks with integrity, excellence and care, knowing that our efforts contribute to the wellbeing of individuals and communities. May we see our work as an offering to you, dedicated to honoring your name. Give us wisdom in decision-making, strength in challenges and patience when we face delays or difficulties. Bless our teams, coworkers and leaders with unity and vision. Let our workplaces be spaces of collaboration, respect and encouragement. May we be mindful stewards of the resources you’ve entrusted to us and may our work reflect your beauty, order and purpose. Lead us, Lord, as you led the Magi, that we might follow your star and bring glory to you in all we do. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians chapter 3 beginning in verse 1.
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
