Epiphany & Star of Bethlehem Epiphany is a Greek word meaning ‘manifestation’ or ‘theophany’ that derives from a natural theology religion that discerns manifestations of the eternal or divine present in all things. In our worship we celebrate the feast of Epiphany as the day when a Star led the Magi (Wise Men or Kings) from the East, probably Persia, East Syria or Arabia, to the child Jesus. The three Magi (Casper, Balthasar and Melchior) were by all accounts religious scholars who were revered as astronomers and astrologers. As such, they studied the stars and planets and interpreted the meaning of dreams and various cosmic events. Anything unusual that appeared in the heavens such as a bright star, comet, meteor, supernova or a planetary conjunction would have been considered as an omen. Such a sighting in the sky would have incited ‘dread and fear’ in the minds of many rather than a symbol of wonder and hope. Most in those days believed that human destiny was written in the stars and that heavenly bodies played a major role in earthly affairs, perhaps not unlike some today who organise their lives around their star signs. The Star, however, was not the only indication of the coming of Christ. In the Old Testament (e.g. Numbers 24:17) the scriptures foretold of One who was to come. His redemptive destiny had been written in the stars long before the Magi ever made their long journey to Bethlehem. But was the Star a fable or a miracle? Many tend to think the story of the Star was a fable, a literary device, used by Matthew (2:1-12) to convey a light of hope in his gospel. Ancient cultures had differing interpretations for stars, especially shooting stars, that were believed in e.g. ancient China, to mark the birth of an important child, whose soul was descending from heaven to earth, where it would come to life. Star worship was common and many offered a sacrifice to ‘his’ or ‘her’ star or lucky stars. But what does this biblical Star mean for us and how does the story call us? The event of the Epiphany invites us to bring ourselves just as we are to serve and worship God through Christ as ‘the bright morning star’ (Revelation 22:16). We are not required to bring ourselves bearing such symbolic expensive gifts as gold, frankincense and myrrh as the Magi did. Gold signified the kingship of Christ, frankincense or incense his divinity, and myrrh his redemptive suffering or virtue or prayer and suffering (Isaiah 60: 6, 11 and Psalm 72:10-11). Some early Christians were scandalised by this section of Matthew’s gospel because the role of the star was considered as favouring astrology beliefs. However, Matthew shows no interest in this problem because the star is used to serve God’s purpose by leading the Magi to Jesus. Let me conclude by offering a few words from Colin Goodman, one of our readers at St Catherine’s church. He was a very much respected reader and preacher and was a science teacher at Hastings High School in Burbage. He published a booklet of his sermons collectively entitled An unpredictable God. In one of those sermons he reflected on the event of the Epiphany, saying, “What lies beyond question is the inspiration that this story [the Epiphany] has given to the worship of the Church throughout all ages. In liturgy, poetry, music, and works of art the Epiphany has been set forth in matchless beauty and the Wise Men {Magi} have been a constant source of inspiration to all who wish to venture on a journey of faith”. Whatever we make or believe about this Star as a fact or fable used by Matthew to convey light and hope for all, it should be for us a Star of wonder and hope to inspire journeys of faith in and towards Christ, the Word made flesh. God bless, Fr Graham
A Reflection for… Sunday 3rd January 2021 2nd Sunday after Christmas 8am Holy Communion, St Catherine’s Church, Burbage BCP Collect Almighty God who didst wonderfully create man in thine own image, and didst yet more wonderfully restore him: Grant, we beseech thee, that as thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ was made in the likeness of men, so we may be made partakers of the divine nature; through the same thy Son, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen 2 Corinthians 8:9 New Revised Standard Version 9 For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. John 1:14-18 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[a] full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son,[b]who is close to the Father’s heart,[c] who has made him known. Here we are on the third day of a new year of 2021. We usually come to a new year resolutely. This year is different but the same. Good intentions are sometimes about particular concerns about over celebratory indulgence. The collect and readings today for the Book of Common Prayer on 2nd Sunday of the ongoing Christmas season give us some indications about the foundations that we can build on for this momentous new year. In the vulnerability of the year past we contemplate on the words we hear that we are wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of God. And, in the shortest new testament reading, of any year, we see the generosity of Jesus. He emptied himself of self and became a servant of us all. Though rich, in being the unmistakable Son of God, in poverty we share in the richness of the grace of God by seeing the Word made flesh in Christ. We see the unmistakable nature of God despite not seeing our Creator face to face in this limited life. ‘Grace upon grace’ is a lovely statement and does express the awesomeness of those moments when we experience the warmth of the presence of Christ. The Father’s son is full of grace and truth. We know what God is like because of what we see in the life of Jesus and his ministry, born, as each one of us in all its wonder of a new birth. Wonder and grace upon grace describe for me the gift we have been aware is growing during this last year. That is the reliance on more willingly to abandon our anxieties and our heartfelt desires into our selfless prayers for others in need. To bring people and situations to mind is prayer. This is what Jesus did in his withdrawing, away from the clamour. Sometimes it led to actual acts of kindness in thought and deed. At other times it gave him insight into people and their need. Sometimes it challenged authority and individuals . To sincerely bring people and circumstances to mind is prayer. It is a wonder and grace upon grace... Please accept this piece called ‘A little way of Prayer’ inspirationally given to Dorothy Kerin (1890 – 1963 the founder of Burrswood) which I have found to be so helpful in this approach to prayer generally. ‘Let us by an act of the will place ourselves in the presence of our Divine Lord, and with an act of faith ask that he will empty us of self and of all desire save that Hs most Blessed Will may be done, and that it may illumine our hearts and minds. We can then gather together all those for whom our prayers have been asked, and hold them silently up to Him, making no special request – neither asking or beseeching – but just resting, with them in Him, desiring nothing but that Our Lord may be glorified in them. In this most simple way of approach He does make known His Most Blessed Will for us . “For so He gives Himself to His beloved in quietness.” Blessings, Edward Canon Edward Pogmore
Thoughts for Today – Episode 24 From the real world, sublime and challenging… POSTSCRIPT : - Thank you for travelling with Jane and I over these twenty four chapters of travel around South America and the Caribbean. Again, it has broadened our horizons in restricted times to reflect with you about so many things. Our voyage this time took us to places that tell the story of the changing world. Many of the themes we covered have been part of Andrew Marr’s recent thoughtful BBC documentary on the ‘New Elizabethans’ – part of our story. During this year we have had the major and ongoing issues of ‘Black Lives Matter’, ongoing ‘Climate Emergency’ side by side with the ‘Pandemic’. So many of us have suffered losses of every kind during these months including bereavement. The theme of ‘Reconciliation’ infuses all these urgent realities - part of the reason we gifted 13 Cathedrals of South America and the Caribbean with the Reconciliation Litany of Coventry, on behalf of the Dean and Cathedral team. Reconciliation is a daily discipline of care to treat people as unique and special whatever their background, beliefs (or none) and country of ethnic origin. To treat our environment with the same reverence in the small as well as large daily actions is part of our own personal responsibility. Travels do highlight the fact that we are all interdependent and vulnerable, as well as strong and creatively innovative. Christmas is about reconciliation, the heavenly coming into the world in an unmistakable way as a child. The Saviour of the world born in a far-away land during a time of occupation with strict rules of existence and census. Born in unprotected circumstances. Heaven and earth reconciled in an act of human birth, and salvation in humble circumstances but full of power and glory. Bringing shepherds together with those of intergalactic royalty to worship the event of reconciliation of the human and divine in a unique event in history. Through 25 ports and 15 countries we saw first hand the challenges of climate change and poverty. This was along side political tensions and protest, but never far away were celebrations in dance and food. We enjoyed friendships among the 1200 passengers of differing nationalities and the crew of 500. All this informed the 52 services, numerous pastoral contacts and liaison with the Medical team on board. Saint Catherine’s and St Peter’s were never far away in the whole experience. The role of Chaplain is such a privilege and is an element of Fred Olsen’s voyages over 21 days long. Part of the role is to assist all the travellers and crew to reflect on their travels and trying to make sense of the whole experience. One of the most moving services on board was the Ash Wednesday Liturgy when our mortality was expressed in the ashing ceremony. The Coventry Litany was used during this service to inform our prayers, and I attach it here hoping it will be a constant inspiration for the year ahead. Witnessing the school children coming from the church ceremony of ashing in the district of Getsemani, Cartagena (Costa Rica) and giving us warm waves for the occasion was a real highlight of the trip. The first day of Lent, which looks forward to Easter reflects the ever changing horizons of the voyage of life - we look forward not just back. Never has there been a more important time to look forward. It is the daily call of the Kingdom of God to pray for grace for the future and share the gift of Hope. Thank you for accompanying us along the way over these momentous weeks. Blessings for Christmas and the New Year of 2021, Edward and Jane The Litany of Reconciliation was written by Canon Joseph Poole in 1958 and today is prayed regularly by CCN members around the world, and by many others on an occasional basis. While framed around the seven deadly sins, it serves as a reminder that when we pray about the problems of the world around us, we need to begin by acknowledging the roots of those problems in our own hearts. The Litany is prayed, in a short ceremony taking at most ten minutes, at noon each weekday in Coventry Cathedral and in the Cathedral ruins on Fridays, and absolutely anyone is welcome to join in wherever they are. (CCN stands for the ‘Community of the Cross of Nails’, which is the worldwide network of communities working together to face the challenges of real life through to new life and new possibilities.) The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class, FATHER FORGIVE The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own, FATHER FORGIVE The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth, FATHER FORGIVE Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others, FATHER FORGIVE Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee, FATHER FORGIVE The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children, FATHER FORGIVE The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God, FATHER FORGIVE Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you
The birds of the air and the beasts of the field! (part2) Some of you may have been lucky enough to have spent some time in Scotland and got as far as Aviemore. On the road from Aviemore to the Cairngorm car park you will pass a quite unique farm. It is here that they have the only herd of reindeer in the UK. They were re-introduced into Scotland in 1952 by Mikel Utsi and his wife Dr. Ethel Lindgren It may seem a rather far-fetched idea to re-introduce reindeer but the species is native to the UK, as Mr Utsi found that “according to the Orkneyinga saga, red deer and reindeer were hunted together in Caithness by the Earls of Orkney about eight centuries ago.” Although the last record of wild British reindeer is from around 800 years ago and there has been much climate change since this, the unique sub-arctic qualities of the Cairngorms provide a perfect home for reindeer – in fact this is the only place left in the UK able to support such an animal. The owners of the farm in normal times hire out reindeer at Christmas and they go to many parts of the UK to provide a seasonal feel at major shopping malls and garden centres. I used to travel a lot to Scotland and went on many guided bird-watching tours. One of the guides was a local man Jonny Pott who was a treasure trove of information about the traditions of the area as well as being a first class naturalist. He told me once that he had been, for several years, the herder of the reindeer on the slopes of the Cairngorm. Jonny could certainly run like a deer! I read with dismay this year that Jonny had passed away and many, many people who had been out with him on these trips wrote in to say how sad they were to hear of the death of a fine Scottish Highland gentleman. This thought I can only echo myself – rest in peace Jonny. In our Christmas time we always think of Father Christmas (or St Nicholas) and his team of reindeer hurtling through the air and delivering the presents all-round the globe. St. Nicholas was an early Christian and his reputation evolved among the faithful, as was common for early Christian saints, and his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus ("Saint Nick") through Sinterklaas. As pagans converted to Christianity during the Middle Ages, winter festivals and traditions, as well as popular pagan beliefs, often mingled with Christian celebrations of Christmas. In Norse and Germanic mythology, Thor is the God of Thunder and soars through the sky in a chariot pulled by two magical goats. Thor was highly revered and was arguably the most popular of Norse gods in ancient times. Images and stories of Thor soaring the skies in his sleigh pulled by two large, horned goats may have influenced the creation of Santa's sleigh and flying, antlered reindeer by those in the west familiar with Dutch or Germanic mythology. The names of the eight reindeer were first documented in Clement Clarke Moore's 1823 Poem, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" (also known as "The Night before Christmas" from its first line). <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="400"> <tbody><tr> <td width="400"> 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads, And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap — When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below; When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name: "Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer and Vixen, "On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Donder and Blitzen; "To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! "Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys — and St. Nicholas too: And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound: He was dress'd all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys was flung on his back, And he look'd like a peddler just opening his pack: His eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples: how merry, His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face, and a little round belly That shook when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly: He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laugh'd when I saw him in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And fill'd all the stockings; then turn'd with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He sprung to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle: But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight — Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night. </td> </tr> </tbody></table> What more can I say - God bless you all and have a very Happy Christmas. Don Peacock
