January 6, 2022 - The Epiphany of Our Lord
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
Wordsworth
Songs of thankfulness and praise
Jesus Lord to thee we raise
Manifested by the star
To the sages from afar
Branch of royal David's stem
In thy birth at Bethlehem
Anthems be to thee addressed
God in flesh made manifest
“When the wise men 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.”
Today is Epiphany, The Epiphany of Our Lord, the thirteenth day of Christmas, the day celebrated as the day the wise men's journey had brought them to the baby Jesus, the day the wise men celebrated comfort and joy, and adored The One they had been searching for, longing for, God in flesh is made manifest, the arrival of a new king, The King, is realized, a new epiphany is given, the light in the sky has led the wise men to The Light of the world.
"Epiphany" at its simplest of definitions means to see, to see in a new way, to see with a new light, to gain a new understanding. Our Epiphany theme, "Celebrating Only The Beginning In The Light and Grace of Jesus Christ," opens our eyes and our hearts to the truth in Christ. The wise men came upon an epiphany, a new king, The King, a realization The One they were searching for was before them - making known to one and all This One was only the beginning! Their eyes had been opened to The One who was only the beginning of comfort and joy, and so much more, to a new understanding, a bright new beginning, a bright new Light, the bright new grace of God; The One they had brought treasures to was indeed The Treasured One!
Let us pray: Faithful God, bless me with a new epiphany, with a new beginning, to see you and to believe in you and your grace like never before. Like the wise men, I have been searching, too, to clearly see you, to clearly trust you and your gifts of forgiveness and salvation, to begin anew. By your Holy Spirit, God in flesh make manifest your power and presence, that I may pay you homage, offer you my gifts, glorify you, honor you, see your Light alone, make you and our neighbors first, which are only the beginning to so much more! Treasuring the One who treasures me first, in your faithful light and grace, I pray. Amen.
