Scripture & Reflection: Sunday 4th January - Epiphany - and for the week ahead:ScriptureIn 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 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. (Matthew 1:1-2, 10-11)ReflectionThe coming of the “Messiah” had been promised in the Hebrew scriptures for centuries. But it wasn’t the priests who first came to see this incredible event, it was humble shepherds out on the hills looking after their sheep. The priests, from the holy city of Jerusalem (only three miles away) don’t get a mention in the story of the birth of Jesus. The next group to visit are the Magi – “the three wise men”. They are not Hebrews, but they had studied the scriptures. They come seeking this incredible event. And when they find Jesus – the Messiah – they are overwhelmed with joy; they worship him; they bring him gifts.What about us today: Are we seeking Jesus? Do we worship him? Do we give him the gift of our time to serve him? Or do we expect Him to come and show himself to us? May today be your “Epiphany”; your time of realising the importance of Jesus in your life.Revd DavidScriptureIn 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 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. (Matthew 1:1-2, 10-11)ReflectionThe coming of the “Messiah” had been promised in the Hebrew scriptures for centuries. But it wasn’t the priests who first came to see this incredible event, it was humble shepherds out on the hills looking after their sheep. The priests, from the holy city of Jerusalem (only three miles away) don’t get a mention in the story of the birth of Jesus. The next group to visit are the Magi – “the three wise men”. They are not Hebrews, but they had studied the scriptures. They come seeking this incredible event. And when they find Jesus – the Messiah – they are overwhelmed with joy; they worship him; they bring him gifts.What about us today: Are we seeking Jesus? Do we worship him? Do we give him the gift of our time to serve him? Or do we expect Him to come and show himself to us? May today be your “Epiphany”; your time of realising the importance of Jesus in your life.Revd David
Reflection – Sunday 28th December – The First Sunday of Christmas – and for the week ahead:Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth the life of a earthly home, help your Church to live as one family, united in love and obedience, and bring us all at last to our home in heaven. (Prayer after Communion) It has been such a joy, in these days of Christmas, to welcome to our churches so many families, united for this festive season. Many of them grew up as part of our church family, and now return with their own children to celebrate Christmas, continuing the familiar traditions of church and home. But we remember, too, those who are separated from their families by distance, misunderstanding or death. We give thanks for our church family, for the love and support and encouragement we share, and pray that we may be channels of God’s fatherly love to all those in need. Revd Rosemary
