Epiphany of the Lord (January 5)
-
-
The Epiphany of the Lord
January 5, 2025
Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for this it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel."
Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."
After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.
Source: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010525.cfm
-
-
-
Visual Arts
Morning Star
Hiroshi Tabata (田畑弘) (Japanese), 1998In Tabata’s expressionistic Morning Star, starlight falls in a luminescent sheen over the face of the Christ child, whom Mary looks upon in tender adoration as Joseph wonders at the angelic activity above. The tight cropping around the Holy Family heightens the sense of intimacy. A sheep, donkey, and Amazon parrot (the latter a callback to his time in Brazil) crowd into the foreground, while on distant hills shepherds behold the glorious light display, hear the announcement that will propel them to their newborn Messiah. The wise men, too, are on their way. Epiphany is at hand. Heaven’s raining down (Isa. 45:8).
-
-
-
Music
The Light Came Down
Josh Garrels
LyricsThere is a light
Bright star shining
In the dark night
Old tales come true
All of our fears
Hopes and prayers
He has heard
And answered us
The light came down
Cast the darkness away
He appeared
A helpless child
The light of God came down
There is a light
A new day dawning
Old things pass
All things made new
Prophets have spoken
All he would accomplish
When the light of God
Would dwell with men
-
-
-
Poetry
Refugee
Malcolm Guite
We think of him as safe beneath the steeple,
Or cozy in a crib beside the font,
But he is with a million displaced people
On the long road of weariness and want.
For even as we sing our final carol
His family is up and on that road,
Fleeing the wrath of someone else's quarrel,
Glancing behind and shouldering their load.
Whilst Herod rages still from his dark tower
Christ clings to Mary, fingers tightly curled,
The lambs are slaughtered by the men of power,
And death squads spread their curse across the world.
But every Herod dies, and comes alone
To stand before the Lamb upon the throne.
-
-
-
Reflection
What twists and turns have you faced in your journey with God? Where has a dead end led to an unexpected revelation?
Where might you find God present in an unexpected person or place? Who might you write off because of their strangeness? How might they reveal God to you?
- How might you engage in local or national politics to encourage your leaders to uphold the dignity of all people, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized?
-
-
-
O God, grant that we may desire you, and desiring you, seek you, and seeking you, find you, and finding you, be satisfied forever.
Francis Xavier, 1506-1552
-
