Seek the LightToday we celebrate Epiphany, even though the actual date is tomorrow, on 6th January. Epiphany commemorates the visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus. These three visitors from the East are shrouded in mystery and rich in symbolism. The name for Epiphany is derived from epiphaneia, Greek for manifestation. The visit of these learned and wise men manifested the cosmic spiritual significance of the baby Jesus and foretold a world that would be turned on its head by this child. These visitors were astronomers, and no doubt steeped in other scientific knowledge, yet they came to worship a newborn baby. They were Gentiles, yet they came to worship a Jew. They had enough wealth to make a long and costly journey, and yet they sought a child who had no possessions or earthly power whatsoever.Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were of no use to either the baby or to his parents but carried huge symbolism: gold for a king, myrrh for divinity, for someone worthy of worship and frankincense to be used to tend the body of someone who had died.The wise men had sought this child because of a star, an unusual star, a bright and portentous star. In making the journey they were stepping out in faith, expecting to meet someone who possessed apower far beyond their own. When they saw Jesus, even though he was a baby, they recognised him as that person.The beautiful passage from the prophet Isaiah also speaks of a great light but is not about a bright star: it is about the light of God, shining in the darkness. Isaiah sees in his vision that the light of the Lord will draw people from all over and will bring joy and abundance.Any Jew hearing the story of the wise men as told in the Gospel of Matthew would have sensed a resonance between Isaiah’s prophecy and the birth of Jesus. Whether or not they accepted Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, they would have been aware of the symbolism. But Matthew and the other Gospels, in particular, the Gospel of John, do not only show that Jesus was the Messiah for the people of Israel, they also hint that Jesus was much more than that. The human, Jesus, was the physical manifestation of the Christ, the eternal, uncreated, divine Being of God. The person Jesus lived in history: Christ is above and beyond history, and came not only for Jewish or Gentile believers but for all people for all time and for the whole created world. Retelling the story of Epiphany reminds us to seek the Light, to seek God’s revelation of truth and love, to be found in Jesus 2000 years ago and still to be found in Jesus, as the risen and ascended Christ, the eternal Light of the world. Revd Christina Rees
God of our days and years, we set this time apart for you.Form us in the likeness of Christ so that our lives may glorify you. Amen.‘May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. (Psalm 72:11)Hymn: As with gladness men of old...Isaiah 60:1-6Let us confess our sins:Lord of grace and truth, we confess our unworthiness to stand in your presence as your children. The Virgin Mary accepted your call to be the mother of Jesus.Forgive our disobedience to your will. We have sinned: forgive and heal us.Your Son our Saviour was born in poverty in a manger.Forgive our greed and rejection of your ways. We have sinned: forgive and heal us.The shepherds left their flocks to go to Bethlehem.Forgive our self-interest and lack of vision. We have sinned: forgive and heal us.The wise men followed the star to find Jesus the King.Forgive our reluctance to seek you. We have sinned: forgive and heal us.May Almighty God, who sent his Son into the world to save sinners, bring us his pardon and peace, now and for ever. Amen.Prayer for the day: 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. Amen.Matthew 2: 1-12Please see the Message from the Minister.Let us join in prayer, asking for the light of the Lord to be known to everyone:We pray for the Church throughout the world, that this season will bring joy to all;We pray for our planet, that the Earth and all of its creatures will thrive, in peace;We pray for our friends, families and neighbours - may we all share the love of Christ;We pray for people who are sick or suffering, that they will know God’s healing presence;We pray for the departed, remembering all who mourn.Let us pray for the coming of God’s kingdom in the prayer that Jesus taught Peter and all of us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.Hymn: We three Kings of Orient are...May the Peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
You are welcome to come and worship with us on Sunday, whoever you are as we celebrate The Epiphany - that is, the day when Jesus was revealed as the Star of Light for everyone in the world to follow, and the wise men gave him gifts.Our 10am Family Service in the church offers an opportunity for our younger friends to be involved, and includes music and singing as well as Holy Communion and a blessing, whileOur 4pm Epiphany by Candlelight Service in the hall offers the opportunity for deep, quiet reflective contemplation.We look forward to seeing you.If you are unable to come to the church, you are welcome to worship alongside us by engaging with an ‘Act of Worship’ which will be posted here alongside the Message from the Minister.Do feel free to message us here or through our Facebook Page if there is anything we can help with.
Every day we pray for the people of our church and parish. Attached is a Daily Prayer sheet which includes the businesses and organisations in the town, and every street by name is covered over the course of each month. You may download it if you wish.We also share Sheringham Prayers on our Facebook page.Please join us in prayer for the people of our parish.Thank you.
