Epiphany Journey

Monday 4th January Isaiah 60:1-6 “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.”

The wise men brought some pretty weird gifts for a new-born baby. Surely a blanket or baby-grow would have been more use? Perhaps, a proper bed?

But the wise men brought what they had, and that’s all anyone can do. We also, can bring to God what we have. We may look at some famous Christian ‘super-saints’ and think, “I couldn’t do that. I don’t have their gifts.” That’s OK, you’re not supposed to.

God knows what your gifts are and he’s not expecting you to use someone else’s. So on this day when we remember the gifts that the wise men brought, what gifts will you bring?

A Prayer: God of Time and Space,

You are not bound by calendars, 

day timers, PDA’s and watches,

teach us to not be bound by them either.

God of the stars, the heavens, 

the planets and their orbits,

you sent a star to guide the Magi 

on their journey to the Christ Child,

Send your star to guide us 

on journeys of faith.

God of Creation, 

your word spoke creation into being,

you sent your son 

as the light into a world of darkness,

God may your word still speak to us today,

May your son still be the light in our worlds of darkness.

God, our dark world is a hotbed of fighting, pollution, starvation, and homelessness. 

Teach to once again be stewards of your earth.

Bring forth you peace in the midst of the battles. 

May there be plenty for those who are starving.

May there be homes for those without homes.

And just as the Magi brought gifts to the Christ Child

may we bring gifts to the Christ Child again. Amen