Saturday 9th January - Matthew 2:7-8 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.”
The impact of the Epiphany story told in the Gospel is about people called to follow their star in order to find the fullness of life only Jesus can give. “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10. You may not have thought much about what is the nature of the star we follow. With a bird to clarifying this it may be worthwhile to ask ourselves what we want for our family and friends.
Whilst the Herod’s motive is suspect, his advice is sound; to go and search carefully. But although he makes all the right noises in his desire to go and worship the new born king, his intention is to ensure that he remains on his throne and rids the nation of any other claim.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us that, "God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfil His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.”
A PRAYER: Star-flinging God, whose light dances across eternity, dazzle us into your presence this new year. Open our hearts to the mystery of your love. Awaken us to your presence, knit to the ordinary. Reveal to us what is possible, but not yet present. Heal us, that we might be healers. Reconcile us to you and to ourselves, that our living might be reconciling.
Stop us often, we pray with news that is good with hope that holds with truth that transforms with a Word tailored to this trail we're on. May the word of your grace guide our step like the sun by day and the north star by night, as we travel into the gift of a new year. Amen.
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