Traveling to a New Place!

Think about the last trip you took to a new place. Maybe you went on vacation or maybe you just went across town.

Did you notice that it seemed to take more time to reach your destination than it did to return home? This sensation of seeming to take longer to make a trip than it is to return home is universal and even has an official scientific name. It is referred to as the “return trip effect” by those who research it. There are plenty of theories behind what causes the “return trip effect.”

Researchers believe three things—emotions, expectations and familiarity affect our perception of how time passes. Strong emotions like fear or excitement seem to slow down our perception of time. Any parent who has heard the question, “Are we there yet?” from the back seat of a car can relate to this sensation that time has slowed down to a crawl. The more excited you are about your ultimate destination, the longer the trip seems to take.

I wonder if the Magi, the Wise Men in this weekend’s Gospel passage, felt like time dragged on as they traveled to see the new king of the Jews. Think of all the emotions they experienced—excitement, wonder, fear.

They were astrologers who studied the stars and ancient prophecy. They knew that a brilliant star would one day mark the birthplace of this new king of the Jews. So, when that long-awaited star appeared in the sky, they set out for Bethlehem full of excitement and anticipation. Time probably moved at a snail’s pace. And then . . . they met King Herod.

Welcome to this weekend’s celebration of the Epiphany of our Lord, the day when we celebrate the Magi, or Wise Men, who came from the East to worship the baby Jesus. Epiphany marks the moment when Jesus was recognized as the Messiah sent for all people because the Magi were the first non-Jewish people to bow down and worship him as king.

When we read the story of the Magi, we usually focus on the Instagram-worthy aspects of it. The brilliant star over the stable. The precious baby Jesus in the manger. The Wise Men dressed in fine robes and bringing magnificent gifts. Sounds like a nice children’s play, but it doesn’t sound like real life—until we get to King Herod….

Think of a time when God told YOU to take a New Direction in YOUR life.

LIFE IS ABOUT LETTING GOD USE YOU FOR GOD’S PURPOSES, NOT ABOUT USING GOD FOR YOUR OWN PURPOSES!

I’m getting wonderful feedback on A POEM A DAY TO PRAY 2025. https://treatsforthesoul.org/a-poem-a-day-to-pray/