The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord | Friday 6 January 2023

Today is Friday the 6th of January, the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Star of Wonder’. As you begin to pray today on this the feast of the Epiphany, become aware of God’s presence with you in this moment…

Star of wonder
Star of royal beauty bright
Shine your light on earth below
Guide the way
For a King
Wise men bring their gifts of gold
Sweet perfume and precious oil
Holy anointing
Gloria, gloria…
Empty handed
Can I come just as I am?
Or like a shepherd, bring a lamb?
A humble offering
Gloria, gloria…
In the heavens
Gloria, gloria…
Gloria
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord (So we sing gloria…)
Gloria, gloria…
Peace to earth

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

This passage might be most familiar to you from school nativity plays, children using sheets as robes and wearing cardboard crowns. It can be hard to get back to the original setting, stargazers traveling long distances to seek out a king foretold in their books of wisdom. Can you get a feel for what it must be like to make such a journey?

How do you think that Joseph and Mary reacted when these strange travellers arrived with their gifts?

The passage is all about seeking and finding Jesus. As it is read again, can you hear any echoes of your own search for, and discovery of, him?

End by offering Jesus your own gifts, or what you’d like to give him, and notice his reaction.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.