Readings: Isaiah60v1-6; Psalm 72v1-15; Ephesians 3v1-12; Matthew 2v1-12

A word from Lucy: Today we remember that scholars in Persia who studied the stars saw something so astounding in the sky that they set off on a long journey to find a child they believed was born to be King. Once in the Holy Lands the men headed for the palace of King Herod, because they thought that this was where they would find the King they were searching for. The scholars continued their search and when they eventually found the holy family, they offered the child gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and in so doing fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy.

However, these men who are described as wise, were not so clever because they made a mistake in going to the palace and set Herod off on an evil course of action to kill the rival to his throne. Herod’s plot failed because the holy family were warned and escaped to Egypt in the night. Sadly though, all the children under two years of age from the area were murdered on Herod’s instructions.

Today, we have so much to ponder: the prophecies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in Jesus; the way God connects with and speaks to people from all over the world; the physical and spiritual journeys we are all called to make to find Jesus; the unforeseen consequences of the errors we make in our journeys throughout life; and the gifts we can bring and offer because God has a plan and a part for us to play in it. I hope and pray we will all listen, hear and respond.

Let us pray: Lord inspire us, so we set out to find you; lead, help and guide us, so we stay firmly on the right path; then when we come face-to-face with you – may we offer to you the gifts you have made us to be, in service of your world.