4th January: Epiphany
online Morning Prayer from St.Oswald’s.
Isaiah 60.1-6
The prophet reassures the Jews, recently returned from Exile, that God’s light will shine on them and on the other nations who will come to them. Kings will bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
“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.
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.
Something to think about
King Herod the Great (father of Herod Antipas) who ruled in Jesus’s life time was visited by wise men, astrologers probably from the east. In those days, the village of Bethlehem was revered as the birthplace of the great king David who was regarded as the ancestor of the Messiah, the Anointed of God, whom God would send to rescue his people. In later Christian legends, the three kings were believed to be the descendants of the three sons of Noah: Shem Ham and Japheth, who brought gifts as foretold by Isaiah. (Isaiah 60:6).
Collect
Creator of the heavens,
who led the Magi by a star to worship the Christ-child:
guide and sustain us, that we may find our journey’s end
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Post Communion
Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek:
may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light
discern the glory of your presence in your Son,
the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Next Sunday’s (11th) Readings:
Acts 10.34-43
Matthew 3.13-17
Please remember in your prayers this week: *See footnote
Those who are unable to be with us in church, including Diana & Edmund Urquhart, Linda Torr, Arthur and Barbara Williams.
Those who are ill, especially Graham Price, Pam Phillips and Reina Hammond.
The recently bereaved, especially the relatives and friends of Peter Fearn.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches.
Our Ministry Team: Dwayne, Maggie, Nigel & Lynda.
*The Prayer List
Please do not give out personal names when intercessing in the Thursday recording.