Epiphany

When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem  and said, “Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard about this, he was worried, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?”They told him, “He will be born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote” Matthew 2:1-5

Readings:

Isaiah 60:1-11 

Matthew 2:1-9

Reflection

“Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.” Those words, written in the early nineteenth century, capture what these wise men, these magi from the east, were doing two thousand years ago -as recorded in the Matthew text. They came to worship this newborn King. This is what God’s people have been doing ever since— worshipping at the feet of the King of kings, the Lord  of lords.

During Advent we have been encouraged to take a journey, not unlike the magi, moving towards Jesus, at the same time he has been coming to us. We have pondered the history, the mysteries of the incarnation and mind-boggling ideas of Jesus leaving heaven to become a tiny vulnerable baby. Music and poetry give us insights into all of this. We have travelled (in our minds at least) and worshipped, and now all we can offer are our own treasures. Our own thoughts, memories and lives, the Shepherds offered a “ the lamb”,  the magi “the gifts” and us....... What do we offer?

Prayer 

Lord, be like treasure to me this Christmas.
Let me be willing to listen when I'm told of your glory.
Take away my fear and bring me peace.
Whatever else I may receive let me be glad to accept you into my life and to share you with those around me.

Let the greatest gift of all simply be you. Amen.