6 January 2008

Welcome to St Alban’s Anglican Church 

Today's Scripture (HC) : Isaiah 60: 1-6    Ephesians 3: 1-12    S. Matthew 2: 1-12

Today's Liturgy: 8.35 a.m. BCP Matins;     9.00a.m. Scripture Study;     9.30 a.m. Holy Communion;    EP 6.00 p.m.

This Week: Tues to Fri 12.30 p.m. Midday Prayer

The Epiphany

O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant, that we, which know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

FAITH IN FOCUS: THREE WISE ... ?

If the wise men had been women, things might have been different. They would have stopped to ask directions outside Jerusalem and so avoided Herod; they would have arrived on time and helped deliver the baby; instead of gold, frankincense and myrrh they would have brought a casserole, some nappies and a box of baby wipes; and there would have been peace on earth! [However ... the Bible may indicate the Wise Men visited when the Child was anything up to about 2 years old, because Herod sought children up to 2 years old. NS]

Although the Christmas season finds it last echo officially on February 2nd with the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, in reality it is today that marks Twelfth Night, or the closure of the Christmas period. And it’s significant that the cosy little birth scene in the stable is suddenly broadened and opened out to the whole world as representatives from the ends of the globe turn up to acknowledge this baby as something very special.

Epiphany is about searching. The wise men travelled from afar, guided by a star. They knew that someone important was about to be born [or had been born - NS], but they didn’t know who or where. And their quest was to keep moving forward in search of what was to be fully revealed to them.

Matthew deliberately shrouds the wise men in mystery. We are the ones who have invented the fact that there were three of them, that they were kings, that they had crowns, that their names were Gaspar, Balthazar and Melchior. The bible has none of this. Surely, what Matthew wanted us to realise is not merely some historical event but the fact that the wise men represent each one of us. They are a symbol of the whole of humanity that is called to search. Every human being is called to "see" Christ. For everything was made by him and must find its completion in him. And our life is a journey in search of what makes us tick, what will give ultimate meaning to our existence.

The meaning of our existence radiates from the little baby in the stable. We are made in God’s image and are called to worship God with whatever gifts we have to bring. Epiphany invites us to continue the journey and the search, for if we find Christ then we find ourselves!

WORD OF GOD

Lift up your eyes and look round: all are assembling and coming towards you, your sons from far away and your daughters being tenderly carried.

(Isaiah 60:4)

WORD FOR TODAY

The journey of the wise men is one that we as Christians have to undertake in every generation. Where do we find Christ today and what are the signs of our times that point to him?

WORDS FOR WORSHIP

Lord Jesus, you are the star that lights up our way: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you are truly Son of God and Mary’s child: Christ have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the hope of all nations: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

By his coming among us as a baby in Bethlehem, may almighty God have mercy on us, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

WITH ALL LITURGY we can easily fall into the trap of simply re-enacting ancient religious events. But liturgy is about making present here and now the saving power of Jesus Christ. Epiphany is not simply recalling some cosy crib scene. It’s about our 21st century commitment to worship God. What is the gold I bring to God? What is my frankincense and how do I use it to beautify the celebration? What is the myrrh of my life and have I remembered to bring it before God? If Epiphany is not to be relegated to a mere historical remembrance then I have to offer my whole self to the God who took human form in Christ. Only then will it come alive; only then will I, like the wise men, be transformed by the encounter. (Elizabeth Turner)

SOME NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

1. I will eat more fruit and vegetables every day, and I will limit my amount of fizzy drinks.

2. I will take care of my body through physical activity and nutrition.

3. I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day - at the most - on these activities.

4. I will help out in my community - through volunteering, working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need.

5. I will wipe negative "self talk" (i.e. "I can’t do it" or "I’m so thick") out of my vocabulary.

6. When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find constructive ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a diary or discussing my problem with a parent or friend.

7. When I notice my friends are struggling or engaging in risky behaviour, I will talk with a trusted adult and attempt to find a way that I can help them.

8. I will be careful about whom I choose to date, and always treat the other person with respect and without coercion or violence.

9. I will resist peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol.

10. I will get in touch with God at least twice a day.

GOLD IS THE GIFT fit for a King. Frankincense was in constant use by the priests in the temple. Myrrh was used to embalm the dead. In those three gifts we see who he is, what he came to do, and what it would cost him. (John Stott)

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS:

Mon: Jeremiah 23:1-8, Matt 20:1-16, 1 John 3

Tues: Jer 30: 1-17, Matthew 20:17-28, 1 John 4: 7-end

Wed: Jer 30:18 - 31:9, Matthew 20:29-end, 1 John 5:1-12

Thu: Jer 31:10-17, Matthew 23:1-12, 1 John 5:13-end

Fri: Jer 33:14-end, Matthew 23:13-28, 2 John

Sat : Micah 5:2-end, Matthew 23: 29-end, 3 John

NEXT SUNDAY (THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST): Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, S. Matthew 3: 13-end